Trae Young at the McDonald's AA game

[ksSooner13]

Just won the 3-point shooting contest. According to Jay Williams, "He would have more (made 20) but this may be too close for him"

 

[Stikboy]

Saw it, awesome. He seems like such a good kid. Was very respectful in the interview.

 

[slappy in OP]

Great news. We need his offensive help.

 

[AdaSooner]

The skills competition is being replayed on ESPNU right now. I missed it earlier. Glad I'm getting a chance to watch it!

 

[cvangild]

Best shooter in the class!!!

He should open up the looks for guys like C. James and McGusty! Can't wait until next season to start!!!

 

[thewez]

The commentators kept saying if it was further back he would hit even more. I'm excited to see his range!

 

[AdaSooner]

The commentators kept saying if it was further back he would hit even more. I'm excited to see his range!

Watch some of Trae's highlight videos and you'll see. He's a threat to score two to three steps beyond the midcourt line. Thirty feet is a comfortable range for him.

He's even more exciting off of the dribble. Check out this ankle-breaking highlight video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LsXmE9PiI8

 

[thewez]

Watch some of Trae's highlight videos and you'll see. He's a threat to score two to three steps beyond the midcourt line. Thirty feet is a comfortable range for him.

He's even more exciting off of the dribble. Check out this ankle-breaking highlight video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LsXmE9PiI8

I'll also prepare myself for posts on here complaining about his shot selection...

 

[soonerbms]

I'll also prepare myself for posts on here complaining about his shot selection...

Nobody complained when Buddy fired from distance. If Trae makes 'em, no one will care of if he's shooting sky hooks from half court.

 

[coolm]

I like watching his passes more. He's gonna have some trouble getting that set shot off against college defenses. I suspect his first season will be more about floaters and finishes and passes.

 

[Maverick008]

He's gonna have some trouble getting that set shot off against college defenses. I suspect his first season will be more about floaters and finishes and passes.

I'm not saying he's going to never get a shot affected/blocked but from the film I've watched, the kid has good handles and is very quick and doesn't seem to have too many (if any) issues creating space to get a shot off. Yes, he'll have to get used to the speed of the college game/athletes but I'd like to hear a report from anyone that has seen or heard about him working with our current group and if they feel he'll have a hard time getting shots off.

 

[AdaSooner]

I like watching his passes more. He's gonna have some trouble getting that set shot off against college defenses. I suspect his first season will be more about floaters and finishes and passes.

I'm with you on Trae's passing skills and his command of floaters and finishing at the rim. He's as good in those areas as any point guard I have seen in a long time. It's also going to be a lot of fun watching him break defenses down with his clever crossovers and quick cuts that leave defenders struggling to stay in front of him, those I referred to as "ankle-breakers" are especially good.

I'm not sure I agree that he might have trouble getting his shot off in college. It's possible of course, but I don't see it that way. Keep in mind that in most of the video highlights available online, he's playing with and against some of the best players in the country, many of them signed or will sign with D-1 schools.

Watch the Nike EYBL finals where he scored 28 points and you'll see that his handles, step-back move and quick release actually made getting his shot off fairly easy. If defenders move out to guard him closer on the perimeter, he's going to beat them off of the dribble.

No doubt in my mind that Trae Young is going to be a difference maker at OU next season.

 

[coolm]

I dont think it will impact his game that much honestly. They are gonna try to sag off of him when he burns them tight and he'll use that. His passing and the little finishing moves make his outside shot a footnote in my book anyway. Plus, he's savvy enough to change it a bit.

 

[AdaSooner]

I dont think it will impact his game that much honestly. They are gonna try to sag off of him when he burns them tight and he'll use that. His passing and the little finishing moves make his outside shot a footnote in my book anyway. Plus, he's savvy enough to change it a bit.

Agreed. I honestly can't think of a more complete offensive player to ever wear the C & C. Can you? I'm not sure how good he'll be on defense at the next level, but he's as good or better in every other phase of the game than anyone in my recent memory.

Does he remind you of anyone in particular?

 

[coolm]

we've never had a point like him that I can recall going all the way back to McLeod's days. He has far great court vision and IQ from the looks of it than any OU point I can remember. His ballhandling reminds me of Phil Ford back in the day using deception and crossovers to break guys down out of the 4 corner offense.

as for his jumper ... dont get me wrong. He's pushing that shot from his chin, not his chest. He's close and it wont take much work. I just think it will be a soft spot among big strengths.

 

[usedtobe1]

we've never had a point like him that I can recall going all the way back to McLeod's days. He has far great court vision and IQ from the looks of it than any OU point I can remember. His ballhandling reminds me of Phil Ford back in the day using deception and crossovers to break guys down out of the 4 corner offense.

as for his jumper ... dont get me wrong. He's pushing that shot from his chin, not his chest. He's close and it wont take much work. I just think it will be a soft spot among big strengths.

Brent Price is probably the best comparison. He had the perimeter game and range, but not the dribble penetration moves. Mookie wasn't much of an outside shooter at the time.

 

[coolm]

he could never take a jumper next season and still make a huge difference in this program so I am not worried. His shot is just a bonus.

 

[Laxtothemax12]

he could never take a jumper next season and still make a huge difference in this program so I am not worried. His shot is just a bonus.

I'm hoping that his presence at the PG position will open up outside shots for others as well. Cause from the naked eye it seemed we were not very good at shooting 3's this year. Could be wrong when I check the stats but just from a candid observation that seemed to be lacking

 

[thewez]

I'm hoping that his presence at the PG position will open up outside shots for others as well. Cause from the naked eye it seemed we were not very good at shooting 3's this year. Could be wrong when I check the stats but just from a candid observation that seemed to be lacking

We were pretty bad.
Not sure there was a guy on the team I was confident in when he took a 3. Early it was Matt Freeman(based off reputation), although I quickly gave up on that. Not sure if I remember him making one.
I'd probably say Buford was the one guy I had confidence in when started shooting a 3

 

[big-hOUnd]

For those who haven't seen it (myself included), the game and competition will be on ESPNU all night Wednesday starting at 10pm....