Trae Young is NBA ready, regardless of Oklahoma's early exit
Trae Young has likely just played the final game of his short-lived college career with Oklahoma, and after starting out the year as a cult hero, inconsistent play has seen him become one of the most scrutinized players in the country.
However, here's a reminder: Young is still deserving of a top-10 pick and he's been playing with a roster arguably incapable of reaching the NIT without him.
It was difficult to watch Young perform over his last 15 games before Thursday's first-round loss to Rhode Island. His shot percentages plummeted from the first half of the season, his turnovers were horrifying, and the aura that had taken over the NCAA disappeared.
| Games | MPG | PPG | APG | FG% | 3P% | TO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First 16 | 33.4 | 30.1 | 10.0 | 45.8 | 40.7 | 4.8 |
| Last 15 | 37.3 | 24.5 | 7.4 | 38.1 | 31.1 | 5.7 |
The Stephen Curry comparisons were premature. This doesn't discount certain similarities when he reaches the NBA level. Curry's ball-handling isn't eye-popping, but it's among the most efficient around. Young isn't near his level; not yet, at least. The gravity he allows, however, will make him a legitimate pro.
There's no need to be overly concerned about Young's poor 3-point shooting of late. With little to no help on the Oklahoma roster, opposing defenders ensured that Young would be unable to take uncontested shots.
Against Rhode Island, Young was disastrous for a 23-minute span - unable to do much outside of a few pretty passes - and failed to score from the halfway point of the first half to the 6:51 mark of the second stanza. After hitting his first four shots, Young missed his next five.
Yet, somehow, he and Oklahoma managed to keep the game tight. The way Young manages to control the game and become the focal point is his most NBA-ready skill. All six of Young's assists in regulation came during his scoreless stretch. He's already a better passer than Curry's ever been.
Young certainly has considerable flaws. He's become a turnover machine and forced the issue too often through Oklahoma's struggles. The Sooners lost 12 of their last 15 games after starting the year 14-2. Young couldn't save them.
His NCAA-leading 27.4 points and 8.8 assists per game weren't enough to salvage the season for a team that was fighting for a top seed early in the year; nor was his incredible 48.5 assist percentage or 38.5 usage rate. On a day when they had a chance to win and Young seemed ready to will the Sooners to victory, his teammates continued their streak of mediocrity and let him down. Outside of Young, Oklahoma finished the game just 1-11 from three and had only one double-digit scorer.
When viewed against the professional ranks, the college game is slower, tighter, and the talent obviously doesn't compare. Once Young makes the jump, there's a good chance he won't ever be the best player on his team, and that's OK. There's plenty of value in drafting someone who is capable of pulling up from 35 feet or utilizing the dribble handoff to create space. It just so happens that he's better suited for the next level. There's lots of room for improvement, but fans should be excited to see Young grow in the NBA.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)