NO TIME TO WASTE
DALLAS — Although she is a rising sophomore, no one has to remind Hannah Young that now is a crucial time in her prep basketball career.
Crucial, as in ensuring that college scouts thrust the Xavier College Prep 6-foot center under their radar as the recruiting process intensifies.
Given her immeasurable body of work, coupled with the tireless behind-the-scenes preparation implemented by her family, Young is making a strong case that she’s destined to turn heads of college coaches by the time the 2020-21 season culminates.
And to think, she still has three full seasons of prep basketball ahead of her.
“Recruiters and college coaches should know that I am a great defender, rebounder, can finish around the basket, and a team player,” the 15-year-old Young told Making Headline News during a recent interview. “If everyone on the team does their part, we can all reach our goals, which is winning a championship.”
MORE ON HANNAH YOUNG: https://recruit-match.ncsasports.org/clientrms/athletes/6295766
While the global pandemic has, in recent months, has changed how amateur athletes do things, Young’s remarkable work ethic undoubtedly has remained the same, particularly while showcasing her skills as a member of the Arizona Select Girls Under Amour Association 15-and-under squad that’s based in Phoenix.
The 15-and-under UAA team is comprised of its top freshmen and middle school players, particularly those who do not earn roster spots on 16-and-under team. A team that represents Arizona Select’s Girls 15-and-under division of Under Armour Association, players selected to this team is elite players, who successfully compete against elite competition at their respective age division and are striving to play high level college basketball.
The UAA is currently participating in Session 1 of the Nike Tournament of Champions at The Bubble in Phoenix. The team — which also competed during the summer months in Las Vegas and Colorado — will cap off the 2020 campaign in The Tournament of Champions December 17-22 in Phoenix.
In the meantime, Young emphasized, her primary focus is centered largely on continuing to do the necessary things to help Xavier College Prep improve on last year’s 18-11 campaign, which included a fourth-place finish (2-6) in league play.
Young is the second-tallest player on an XCP team that returns the nucleus of last year’s squad that witnessed the departures of just two seniors.
“I would say that I’ve gotten a lot better from last year and that I’m still growing,” said Young, who’s grown two inches since last summer. “My biggest strength as a player is my ability to defend, assist, and free-throws. I’m always trying to look for the open man and get the best percentage shot. My weakness is sometimes being too much of a team player. At times, the extra pass is not needed. I should score the bucket.”
To her credit, it seems a few college scouts are starting to hear the rising buzz surrounding Young. Expect that list to expand much sooner than later.
According to Young, Loyola Marymount University of the West Coast Conference heads the list of schools that’s monitoring her closely.
“I’ve spoken to LMU,” Young said. “The coaching staff stated they were watching me and think I will be a great fit for their women’s basketball program.”
Interestingly, Young’s mother, Robin Young, has executed a strategic plan for her daughter by assembling a spreadsheet that’s comprised of college coaches and other pertinent information.
“We need to look at schools that will best fit her desire to work in the medical field, as well as where she can be an asset on the court,” Robin Young said of her daughter’s spreadsheet that included Division 1 and 2 colleges. “Hannah has a few schools in mind, but we don’t want to limit her. We’d like to explore (a wide range of) opportunities.”
Having accumulated an impressive 3.0 grade point average to date, Robin Young said her daughter hasn’t ruled out pursuing an academic scholarship.
But first thing’s first for this prep hoops standout, whose game many have likened to current WNBA player DeWanna Bonner and six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen: her fervent quest to solidify a full-ride athletic scholarship which, much to the delight, appears very much within her grasp.
XCP PROJECTED ROSTER (2020-21 SEASON): https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/xavier-college-prep-gators-(phoenix,az)/girls-basketball-winter-19-20/roster.htm
“Whoever offers me a scholarship, will inherit a hard-working player who won’t give up until we have a championship trophy in our hands,” Hannah Young said. “They will also inherit a leader on and off the court, someone who has morals, great character, and values their opportunity to obtain a good education while playing basketball.”
Talk about making good use of what undoubtedly is a crucial time in her prep basketball career.
“Playing college basketball has been my goal since I was a little girl,” Hannah Young says without hesitation. “I have watched several college players go on to even play at the professional level. I also know that using my basketball knowledge and skills will help me pay for college.”
And to think, she still has three full seasons of prep basketball ahead of her.
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