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After losing to Rhode Island in round one of the NCAA Tournament, Oklahoma Sooners’ guard Trae Young has decided to enter the NBA Draft. Young has been compared to two-time NBA MVP Steph Curry on numerous occasions.
His size, stature, even his propensity to fling up long three point shots all seem to fit the style of the Golden State Warriors point guard. Coming out of college the comparison seems fair. Only time will tell how much Young will develop.
In Curry’s last season at Davidson, he led the nation in scoring averaging 28.6 points per game. He also averaged 5.6 assists per game while committing 3.7 turnovers per game, giving him a 1.51 assist to turnover ratio and added 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 steals.
Curry averaged just under ten three point attempts per game (9.9) and hit 3.8 (387%) of them. Great ball handling skills (which is now ridiculous) and a nice floater in the lane.
The 6′ 2″ Young led the nation in scoring with 27.4 points and 8.7 assists per game. He takes a major chunk of his three pointers from NBA distance and beyond. He averages 10.2 three point attempts a game hitting 3.7 (.361) of them.
He has a quick first step with great handles, above average athleticism and great passing ability able to find the open man or pass them open. Young led the nation with 167 total turnovers (5.2 per game) with a 1.67 assist to turnover ratio.
The parralels are eye popping but will the results be the same? Curry was drafted seventh overall by the Golden State Warriors, Young is projected to go somewhere in the 5-10 range in round one.
The big question mark that was put on Curry whether he could be a legitimate NBA point guard around the NBA Draft, is now looming around Young. Under a few years of Mark Jackson’s guidance, Curry quieted those questions.
It remains to be seen where Young gets drafted and which coach will have the chance to mold his game. Shooting three pointers have become the norm in today’s NBA, due in large part to players like Curry. Young will try to follow in his footsteps and let his shots do the talking.
