Interesting article on Trae Young

[OUHoops]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-young-dominating-with-a-chip-on-his-shoulder

"Since Trae feels like he's not from New York, Chicago or L.A., he just feels like he has to do that much more to prove that he can play," Ray Young said. "How many point guards really come out of Oklahoma that are one of the top point guards in the nation?"

"Being from Oklahoma is definitely harder," Trae said. "You don't have the media attention around you. You don't have a lot of things that you would growing up in a bigger city with more of a basketball culture. When I have the opportunity to perform at a high level on a big stage, I feel like I have to do it. Growing up in Norman, Oklahoma, it's not known for it's basketball."

Since football is king in the Sooner State and with elite hoops competition tough to come by, Trae has spent the past few summers honing his skills with in-state college players like Oklahoma's Buddy Hield and Oklahoma State's Phil Forte.

Playing in shooting contests against Hield and learning how Forte tried to make 500 shots a day set the tone for how Young has trained the last few years to become an elite-level player.

"Growing up in Norman, I was there when Buddy was a freshman," Young said. "Being able to be with him and talk to him and being able to shoot with him was great. We'd always have shooting competitions. He would always win just because he's Buddy Hield and he was hitting some crazy shots. But it always made me better. It always made me better just going up against him. He'd always hit one-legged trick shots off the glass and stuff like that that I can't do. But he's a good guy, and I've learned a lot from him growing up these last few years."

 

[McJacknife]

Gotta think the close relationship with Buddy, and witnessing his growth as a player first-hand can be nothing but a positive!

 

[slides]

Odds he stays in Oklahoma and goes to OU?

Or does he want to leave to get more attention?

 

[TINY]

Odds he stays in Oklahoma and goes to OU?

Or does he want to leave to get more attention?

Hopefully he can see that guys like buddy and Blake were not hindered but improved by Ou.

 

[furge]

Hopefully he can see that guys like buddy and Blake were not hindered but improved by Ou.

Sounds like Okie roots have put a chip on his shoulder. If I'm recruiting him, I say:
"Does it feel like you're working yourself to death just to get respect? Are you starting to see respect? Think about your game now and your game then. You need to be where the fire has the most fuel. You don't get to the League from your press clippings, it's the work. Do yourself a favor and go where you'll stay the most hungry. Or maybe I meant 'stay where you'll be the most hungry.' "

 

[918sooner]

I surely hope he goes to OU but I think it's unlikely.

 

[brettromar]

I never thought this but the word right now is that OU is the leader. Hopefully that is true.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

Trae is on his way to South America ...


2016 USA Basketball Men's U18 National Team
http://www.usab.com/mens/u18/roster.aspx


The FIBA Americas U18 Championship for Men is being held July 19-23 in Valdivia, Chile.

 

[CoachTalk]

Don't think mr youngs services are important?

Coach crutchfield was in chile for the USA u18 games.

 

[CoachTalk]

Most recruited player to OU in a very long time. Maybe ever.

 

[Swans]

Trae did not have a good tournament statistically in Chile.

 

[CoachTalk]

Trae did not have a good tournament statistically in Chile.

He's a year younger than this guys. Didn't play as much as others. Came off the bench.
Played behind top 5 pick fultz

 

[pnkranger]

He's a year younger than this guys. Didn't play as much as others. Came off the bench.
Played behind top 5 pick fultz

He got plenty of run, but just didn't shoot the ball very well.

 

[Swans]

He's a year younger than this guys. Didn't play as much as others. Came off the bench.
Played behind top 5 pick fultz

That's why I said statistically. I'm not doubting his talent in any way. He had a tough time in every game with his shooting and assists. Just a tough tourney for him.

 

[Larry72]

Coach Crutchfield probably cheered him up.