About Me

My name is Joseph Payne, and I was born and raised in Tucson. I graduated from Salpointe Catholic High School and went on to attend the University of Arizona, earning my degree in 2020 with a Bachelor's and a Minor. This past summer, I married my high school sweetheart. We share a love for pets and have a full house with three dogs, a German Shepherd and two Labs along with a cat.

Outside of teaching, basketball is a huge part of my life. When I’m not coaching, I love playing in men’s leagues or pickup games at the gym. I’m a big fan of the NBA, college basketball, the NFL, and MLB. My favorite teams include the Heat, Lakers, Cavs, and Suns in the NBA; the Eagles, Cardinals, and Steelers in the NFL; and the Phillies and Diamondbacks in the MLB. Of course, when it comes to college sports, I’ll always root for the Arizona Wildcats.

Beyond sports, I enjoy gaming on my Xbox Series X, mostly playing sports games like 2K, FIFA, Madden, NCAA, and The Show, but I also like trying different genres. Lately, I’ve been hooked on Elden Ring, challenging but a lot of fun. I also love spending time with family and friends, whether it’s going to the movies, working out, hiking, swimming, or just hanging out at cookouts or on vacation.

In 2023, I started AZ Rockets to give young athletes a place to develop their basketball skills while also building character. It’s been amazing to see it grow from a single team into a full organization, and I’m excited to work alongside so many great coaches. Basketball has allowed me to meet incredible people and make a positive impact on others, and I’m grateful every day for the opportunity to do what I love.