All-Access: Five-star PG Trae Young and his family's recruiting roundtable

That has been known for awhile. His dad is in charge of helping Trae get to the NBA. That means he wants the most exposure, hence KU and UK love.

I know it's been known, but it's just different when you read direct quotes like that where he's not even beating around the bush about it.
 
I'm surprised they let someone in on the discussions to write about it. But it is kinda cool to hear the pros and cons to each. Not sure Tech or Washington were necessary to include :ez-laugh:
At least if he doesnt pick OU we will know the reasons why. Although I'm not sure I agree with them. I think Kruger could definitely help Trae get to the NBA. He did it with Buddy, Buddy just had further to go. And we've seen it done before at OU with Blake, just not under Kruger
 
Great read, but a tough one for me. I assumed this was the battle going on, but reading it made it more real for me. A few observations:

1. I think they both believe that he will be at least a two year player based on the comments made during the Washington pro/con.

2. Dad wants him to go to Kentucky first, Kansas second. Believes Kansas is the best way to get to the pros based on exposure and team talent.

3. I thought it was interesting that they are coining him the next Frank Mason. Mason is a great college player, I personally don't see him thriving at the next level. He also wasn't a 5 star recruit out of high school. Ray stated a con for OU "I love Coach, but how many one-and-done or two-and-done players has he put in the league?” Thought this was interesting because Mason is a 4 year player and might make the league (this is who they are pitching he could be) and the last 5 Star pg was Josh Selby (1 and done) who doesn't even play in the NBA and was a bust.

3. It seemed Trae has a sense of loyalty that he is battling with. I thought it was interested in the article how many times Ray stated "you owe nothing to anybody, this is a business decision". From how the article read, it seemed Trae is really battling with that.

Question: If Trae does go to OU, think Dad will be happy and supportive? It is interesting to see how opinionated he is about it all. That is, if Trae chooses something different than his Dad, does he not set himself up to see that he let his Dad down?
 
Was a cool article. I dont really see much wrong with anything Ray said....taking out my bias.

I feel kansas gets him. It's close enough to home, with a hall of fame coach and an amazing environment.
 
I think dad is shading OU a little because he knows OU is the pick and doesnt want folks to know.

Many of us have said all along that Ray wanted a Blue Blood, but a good parent imo is going to let their child pick where he wants to go at the end of the day.

Mom is more of an OU lean than I ever knew, but dad has handled everything. So thats good.
 
Question: If Trae does go to OU, think Dad will be happy and supportive? It is interesting to see how opinionated he is about it all. That is, if Trae chooses something different than his Dad, does he not set himself up to see that he let his Dad down?

A good father is going to be happy and supportive of their son regardless and I think from reading that Ray is a good father that simply wants what he believes is the best route for his son to make the NBA (even if it could be argued it is a tad misguided in regards to KU producing NBA worthy PGs).

His mom obviously wants Trae to attend OU, so will she be happy and supportive if he picks KU? Of course she will.
 
I think dad is shading OU a little because he knows OU is the pick and doesnt want folks to know.

Let's hope for OU that this is the case. However, he seems to bash OU and Kruger pretty good. I do find it funny that no one gives Kruger the "NBA Credit" that I feel he deserves. One, he coached in the NBA and two, more of his players than people realize have made it to the NBA. Also, he took a guy that didn't seem like he could dribble his Freshman year and turned him into a formidable PG in the Big 12 that many on this board laughed about when they heard he was going to be the starting PG his Sr. year, helped get the team tot he final four and then got drafted! It was nice to hear Trae say he wasn't worried about being developed under Kruger.
 
The difference is Self is able to recruit NBA talent to KU, Kruger has never been able to recruit NBA talent.

Do players get better under Self? Most aren't there long enough to know but Mason/Lucas are guys that have improved.

Do players get better under Kruger? A resounding yes.

Those are the questions Ray should be asking, imo.
 
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I'll be glad when this is over. I'll be surprised if it's the good guys. They want as much attention as they can get. KU provides that.
 
I think dad is shading OU a little because he knows OU is the pick and doesnt want folks to know.

Many of us have said all along that Ray wanted a Blue Blood, but a good parent imo is going to let their child pick where he wants to go at the end of the day.

Mom is more of an OU lean than I ever knew, but dad has handled everything. So thats good.

I hope the first part is true, but I think there's a couple reasons for his thoughts towards OU. 1) he is guiding Trae through this college process and the NBA process. So for Ray, he needs to find the best way to get Trae the exposure and people who can help him get there. KU and UK obviously can help that exposure Ray is wanting more than OU can. 2) from everything I've understood, including what you said at the end, Trae and his mom both really like OU. So if that's the case, it wouldn't shock me to see his dad play devils advocate in terms of trying to get him to see something different and not continue to build up OU when your mom, your friends, etc. etc. all hype up OU for you. I'm sure he hears it every day "You can be the man at OU" or "You are going to take OU back to the top of the Big 12" from his friends in Norman. So it wouldn't shock me to see his dad understand that, and try and give Trae some prospective and help him see some cons to OU instead of all the pros.
 
I know guys want to get to the NBA, of course. But this kid seems like it's all NBA or bust. Like even if he did choose OU it would all be about getting to the NBA, even while he's at OU... It's ok to desire the NBA but I want a team player, a guy that wants to make OU's TEAM better while he plays here.. Not saying he won't, but man it just seems it's all about him and the NBA...
 
Lets take a quick look at KU's PG recruits in the past 10 years. I'll use Rivals rankings

2014
Devonte Graham- 4 star - #36 player
Will play a 4th year next year and likely at best a 2nd round pick.

2013
Conner Frankamp- 4 star - #34 player
Transferred to Wichita State

Frank Mason - 4 star - #76 player
4th year senior. Has developed into a very good player. Likely a 2nd round NBA draft pick.

2011
Naadir Tharpe - 4 star- #92 player
Undrafted and D Leaguer

2010
Josh Selby - 5 star - #1 player
Drafted in 2nd round- playing in Isreal

2009
Elijah Johnson- 5 star - #24 player
Undrafted- playing in Turkey

2008
Tyshawn Taylor - 4 star - #77 player
2nd round draft pick and played 2 years with the Nets- playing in Isreal

Outside of the 10 year time frame, but Sherron Collins was 2006 class
5 star- #21 player
Undrafted, but did get a cup of coffee with Charlotte



Not a lot of evidence showing that Self puts PG in the league, even those that were 5 stars.
 
Lets take a quick look at KU's PG recruits in the past 10 years. I'll use Rivals rankings

2014
Devonte Graham- 4 star - #36 player
Will play a 4th year next year and likely at best a 2nd round pick.

2013
Conner Frankamp- 4 star - #34 player
Transferred to Wichita State

Frank Mason - 4 star - #76 player
4th year senior. Has developed into a very good player. Likely a 2nd round NBA draft pick.

2011
Naadir Tharpe - 4 star- #92 player
Undrafted and D Leaguer

2010
Josh Selby - 5 star - #1 player
Drafted in 2nd round- playing in Isreal

2009
Elijah Johnson- 5 star - #24 player
Undrafted- playing in Turkey

2008
Tyshawn Taylor - 4 star - #77 player
2nd round draft pick and played 2 years with the Nets- playing in Isreal

Outside of the 10 year time frame, but Sherron Collins was 2006 class
5 star- #21 player
Undrafted, but did get a cup of coffee with Charlotte



Not a lot of evidence showing that Self puts PG in the league, even those that were 5 stars.


Is there a reason you left out Chalmers?
 
Couple of things I appreciated about this article:

1. I think his dad, while seemingly, against OU he is also playing the devil's advocate here because Mom & Trae like OU very much. In fact in his interview with James Hale he said as much: "I just feel like I gotta come at it from the other side"; meaning its his job to really make sure Trae has thought this through.
2. KU is selling him a bill of goods... Self does not let 5 Stars just have the keys to the kingdom... I think Trae knows this and isn't really buying it all the way...
3. Loved the statement: "Wow of a pitch from coach Kruger!"
4. After reading this I really appreciate the dynamic of this family and believe that the Young's will support their son...
5. I think if it was strictly up to Trae I think he would already be signed with OU... But his Dad is just doing what he thinks is best for his son.
6. No matter what Trae seems to be the kind of young man who will do well wherever he goes and in whatever he chooses to do.
 
Is there a reason you left out Chalmers?

2005 class, but if you want to add him that is fine.

5 star - #12 player
2nd round draft pick- carved out a nice NBA career as a role player
Never signed a big NBA contract
 
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