HANDLOVA, Slovakia - - Former Wilmington University men's basketball standout Corye Payton is continuing his basketball prowess outside the United States, signing a professional contract with the MBK Banik Handlova basketball team in the Slovakian League.

Payton made Wilmington men's basketball history as a senior last year, becoming the first Wildcat to earn First Team All-CACC status after finishing second in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference in scoring, putting in 18.1 points per game.

MBK Handlova competes in the Slovak Extraliga which is the highest level of basketball in Slovakia. The team finished in fifth place in the Slovakian League after going 18-18. Handlova has won the regular season championship once (2006), and has been a Finalist twice (2005 & 2006). The team has been to the Slovakian League Semifinals on three occasions (2004, 2008, and 2010).

Payton joins a roster with five other players from the Unites States, including Ray Jones, Jr. who competed at regional foe Dowling during college. The team also has 11 players native of Slovakia on the roster.

In his first action for Handlova, Payton played 25 minutes on November 3 against Prievidza and scored 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor, including 2-for-4 from beyond the three-point arc. He also added two rebounds and a steal in his only contest so far this season.

Handlova (2-3) continues play on November 14 at home against Komarno.  

An English translated website that can be used to follow Payton this season can be found here.