Mar 5, 2013; Columbia, MO, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard BJ Young (11) shoots a three pointer against the Missouri Tigers during the first half at Mizzou Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dak Dillon-USA TODAY Sports
B.J. Young
Point Guard, 6’3.5″, 179 lbs. Sophomore, Arkansas University, 20 years old
2012-13 stats:
27.9 minutes, 15.2 points, 44.9 field goal percentage, 22.7 three point percentage, 66.9 free throw percentage, 3.4 assists, 3.5 rebounds, 0.7 steals.
Strengths:
B.J. Young showed a lot of promise in his two year career at Arkansas. In his last season, Young was one of the most efficient players in transition. In his 4.3 attempts per game, Young shot 70.3 percent — good for fourth best in the NCAA. Young’s transition offense accounts for 26.5 percent of his offense, and he scored 1.33 PPP (Points Per Possession). One of the main reasons he is so good in transition is because he is extremely quick and fast. Not only is he athletic, but he has a nice repertoire of moves.
To go along with his transition offense, Young is great at scoring in the paint. He has so many moves he can go to that allows him score in a multitude of ways down low. His ability to change speeds also helps him because he is able to blow by his defender.
On defense, Young has the potential to be good because he has a 6’8″ wingspan. With a wingspan like that, he would be able to get in the passing lane, and intercept some passes. His athleticism should allow him to be able to keep up with all of the freaks that occupy the point guard position in the game, as well.
Weaknesses:
B.J. Young’s inconsistent shot is a big turnoff for teams. In his freshman season, Young shot 41.3 percent from three, making 50 out of 121. In his sophomore season, You shot a lowly 22.7 percent on 25 of 110 shots from downtown. A regression like that is not something teams want to see.
On the defensive side, Young shows a lack of interest. He becomes a ball-watcher when he is not defending the ball, which leads to his man getting open if they are cutting, or going off of screens. When Young goes to contest a shot, he doesn’t leave his feet, and he doesn’t get his hands up, either. Lastly, Young gets lazy, and his defenders are able to drive right by him.
Young has had a lot of troubles with school. He was expelled from his high school his sophomore year, was expelled at his new high school his junior year, was suspended in November for violating team rules, and was also benched for “disciplinary reasons”. That’s a lot of problems for one player.
Where he fits in with the Lakers:
If Young could get his shot back to what it was in his freshman season, he could be a backup shooting guard, if the Lakers wanted to go small, that is. His athleticism would be much needed on the Lakers. If the Lakers don’t keep Goudelock and/or Morris, I could see the Lakers taking a chance on him.
Our take:
Caleb Cottrell: B.J. Young intrigues me. If he gets his shot back, he could be very useful on the Lakers. If he doesn’t, however, I don’t want him. Yes, the Lakers need athleticism, but the Lakers don’t need another guard who can’t shoot, or doesn’t play defense. The character issues bother me, as well. The last thing the Lakers need is more drama.
Jacob Rude: Character issues never really bother me because, more times than not, they are sensationalized by the media. However, his on the court play doesn’t fill a Lakers weakness. I’ll pass on Young