Scouting Report: James Young, SF, Kentucky
The world got a longer look at James Young than expected as Kentucky made their surprising run to the NCAA Championship game, and it was hard not to walk away impressed after he scored 37 points over the final two games of the tournament. It's beyond clear that he can score, and it seems as if workouts are going well, because his draft stock has been steadily rising during the pre-draft process.
Background
| Position | DX Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/o Shoes | Weight (lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SF | 15 | 15 | 6' 5.25" | 213 |
| Wing | Vert (in.) | Standing Reach | Hand Length (in.) | Agility (sec.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7' | 35.5 | 8' 8" | 9 | n/a |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | 14.3 | 4.3 | 1.7 | 40.7% | 34.9% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Young can really score, thanks in part to an exceptional ability to get to the rim, constant movement and a solid mid-range shot that looks like it could be a weapon from long-range eventually. He also has a body that teams dream of at the three, and he's only 18, so there's plenty of time for that element to get even better. There's a great deal of offensive upside here, and he has tools such that the defense could eventually follow.
Weaknesses: Said 3-point stroke wasn't quite established in his freshman year, but part of that could have been due to having to shoot too often as the team's lone deep threat. There are some minor concerns as to why all these good things didn't manifest on the court as you'd hope, but it sounds like most teams see that as a matter of circumstance and youth.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
Given how little his name resonates right now compared to others in the draft, it might feel odd to hear of Young as a top-10 pick, but rumblings are that his draft range starts with the Hornets at No. 9. From there, teams may have a different preference from the glut of wings in the late first round, but it would be almost impossible to justify passing on a talent like this at, say, No. 20.