Meet the Freshmen Part 1: Michael Young

Yes, these freshmen have actually played 6 games for Pitt, but if you weren't at the games or you missed the 3 that were televised you have yet to see them in action.  Over the next few days, I'll be providing a little background information on each player.  Mike Young, who insists on being called Michael so that the Internet screws up and thinks I mean the baseball player, is up first.

Young is originally from McKeesport.  He played his freshman year at Shady Side Academy but then moved to New Jersey for better competition.  He had offers from UConn, Xavier, Memphis, NC State, West Virginia, and Florida (his other finalist).  Young was a top 100 prospect by every source (as high as #57 by ESPN).

I made the comment during the Savannah State that Young looked kind of small.  He could definitely add some muscle, but he's not as thin as I originally thought.  I blame my upper deck seats.

The most impressive missed dunk I've seen in a while

Pitt hasn't had a true power forward since Chevy Troutman graduated in 2005.  Since then we've tried Canadians (Levon Kendall & Khem Birch), undersized grit players (Nasir Robinson) and just sticking our best player there and hoping it works out (Sam Young, and it did).  Zanna is a power forward, but he's stuck at center for the time being, and he never had the potential Mike Young has.

2013-2014 Outlook:  Young is starting right now and should continue to do so for the rest of the season.

Projections: 5.4 ppg /4.3 rpg /49% fg%

Hail to Pitt,

J.O.