Big Man in the Middle: Gators Sophomore Patric Young Trying to Fill That Role
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 | Men's Basketball, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – When he stopped by the Gators' practice facility over the summer, former Gator and current Philadelphia 76er Marreese Speights Tweeted a short video.
In the clip, Gators sophomore forward/center Patric Young caught passes off a bounce-back net and repeatedly turned and dunked, one after another in a matter of seconds. You could hear that Speights was impressed by his response in the video.
When Corey Brewer made a stop in town over the summer for a basketball camp, the former Gator's smile stretched wider than normal when he talked about Young.
“Oh man, I like that guy,'' Brewer said. “Can't wait to see how much better he gets.''
There are a lot of people out there who react similarly to Speights and Brewer when they see Young run onto the court or when his name pops up in conversation.
The 19-year-old Young has a presence about him – it helps that his 6-foot-9, 247-pound frame seems to be a conga line of muscles. The Gators are counting on Young to provide an inside presence they sorely need with the loss of the senior frontcourt trio of Chandler Parsons, Alex Tyus and Vernon Macklin from last season's Elite Eight team.
Young played an important role on that team, serving as the first man off the bench in 22 of 37 games. Young also made two spots starts as a true freshman. He finished with modest stats of 3.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in a little more than 17 minutes per game.
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Young was that he didn't foul out in 37 games despite a style of play that would serve him well one day if he should ever want to join the WWE. Young's habit of doing unintentional damage to others with his physical play added another victim when he accidentally broke a player's nose at a Team USA camp last summer.
Gators coach Billy Donovan happened to be there that day in Colorado as an assistant.
“Coach Donovan said it was the worst he's ever seen,'' Young said.
As he prepares for his sophomore season, Young is ready to break into a more prominent role on a Gators team heavy on guards and light on inside experience.
“Forget the basketball. I feel as if I've matured an exponential level,'' said Young, surrounded by a group of reporters on media day. “Even in this interview, I feel so much more calm and more comfortable with you guys around. I know every time I step onto the court that I have to be consistent every day, have the right mindset, be coachable, be ready to get better.''
Young's more mature outlook is due to a multitude of factors. He's a year older. He's been away at college for a full year. He has a season of SEC basketball in his rearview mirror.
On the court, Young showed signs of improving over the summer when he averaged 9.7 points and 6.8 rebounds a game for Team USA in the U19 FIBA World Championships in Latvia. If Young can put up similar numbers in his second season with the Gators, it would be a step in the right direction for the 2010 McDonald's All-American out of Jacksonville.
“I gained a lot of confidence in my abilities,'' Young said. “It gave me the opportunity to go out there with a random group of guys and try and prove myself.''
Donovan senses the increased expectations Young is dealing with – inside the program and outside.
He has talked extensively with Young about remaining grounded in what he does best on the court and let the rest take care of itself.
“A lot of people keep talking about his offense and the thing I really tried to stress to Patric is he needs to keep it very, very simple for himself,'' Donovan said. “He is a physically strong, dominant player. He needs to utilize his size and strength and athleticism. He's got a great motor and he's got great energy. Patric doesn't need to be a guy totally consumed with his offense around the basket as much as he needs to be consumed by the fact we lost probably 9-and-a half, 10 rebounds a game off last year's team.
“He needs to be a great rebounder. He needs to be able to play defense without getting into foul trouble. He needs to get great deep-post position and post up in an area of the floor where he can have success and be effective in what he is doing.''
Young is apparently listening. He mentioned trying to pattern his game to a degree after a player he faced in his fourth career game at UF: Morehead State jumping jack Kenneth Faried. A player who thrives on defense and rebounding, Faried averaged more than 13 rebounds in each of his final three college seasons and helped Morehead State upset Louisville in last year's NCAA Tournament.
He was drafted in the first round by the Denver Nuggets.
“I want to be one of the best rebounders in the country … going after every single rebound there is,'' Young said.
The Gators are not only looking up to Young in a literal sense, but a figurative one as well.
While only a sophomore, Young has the natural traits of a leader according to Donovan. He is vocal, stresses a team-first approach, and if you've seen him play, you know he is selfless on the court as he goes after loose balls, sets screens or takes charges. He drew eight charges a year ago, tied with guard Erving Walker for most on the team.
Young is ready to test his mettle as a leader.
“I have been a pretty passionate guy my whole career as a basketball player,” he said. “I think every time I step on the court I go as hard as I can and do all the right things. Guys will start noticing things like that, and hopefully I'll earn some respect from guys and have a good influence on the team.”
As Young takes another step into uncharted territory, Donovan plans to be his guide. If they don't get lost, then Young could be the man on the inside the Gators need for another deep run in the postseason.
“I would say the first time Patric Young really went through adversity was last year," Donovan said. "He's always been the biggest and the strongest on the court. Patric has made some good strides and good growth from a year ago.
“I think Patric has got all the abilities to be a great leader. That will be important.''
