All-American Patric Young hoping to make impact at Florida
Words. Jason Jordan
Providence High School (Jacksonville, Fla.) forward Patric Young shares a popular theory about the selection process for the McDonald’s All-American game.
“It’s very political,” said Young, a Florida signee. “It has a lot to do with where you’re going (to college). I know a few guys that should’ve made the game. But hey, I’m just happy that I made it.”
Young, a 6-9 forward who is considered one of the best defensive post players in the country, was named to the McDonald’s All-American roster earlier this month. After putting up 15 points and 12 rebounds per game at Paxon H.S. (Jacksonville) as a junior, this season he has been good for 14 and 14 a night.
We talked with Young about everything from McDonald’s snubs to what he feels like the Florida Gators are lacking this season.
*** *** ***
HighSchoolHoop: I hear you guys only have one loss.
Patric Young: That’s right… We’ve got 26 wins so far.
HSH: Big stuff. What’s been your toughest matchup this season?
PY: We played against Justin Jackson (Arlington Country Day, signed with Cincinnati) and that was a pretty tough matchup. But we ended up winning, so…
HSH: Who’d the one loss come against?
PY: Montverde Academy.
HSH: What happened?
PY: Well, we should’ve won that one. There were a couple of calls… I’ll say it like this; if we were on a neutral court we would’ve won by 10!
HSH: I see. So you just got named to the McDonald’s All-American game. That’s a big honor, aye?
PY: Definitely. My coach told me about it right before one of our games. He had already known, but he didn’t tell me. Billy Donovan knew too, but he held it from me. They were all happy.
HSH: What did you do to celebrate?
PY: Nothing really. We took some pictures, that’s about it.
HSH: Did you feel like you were definitely going to make it?
PY: I had a feeling, but like I said, I know with the McDonald’s game it’s really political. I know my friend Stacey Poole (Providence, signed with Kentucky) should’ve made it over a few guys. I’ll leave names out of it, but Stacey should’ve definitely made it!
HSH: Who else do you think got done dirty by the committee?
PY: Adreian Payne (Jefferson Township, Ohio; signed with Michigan State).
HSH: Do you have any goals for yourself in the McDonald’s game?
PY: Not really. I’m just gonna go out and play hard and have fun.
HSH: Talk to me about what’s going on with Florida and everyone reconsidering in the junior class.
PY: Well, Brad Beal (Chaminade College Prep, Fla.) is definitely solid to Florida, I think. He was down at Florida this past weekend with me and he seemed like he was really happy about everything with Florida. But with Austin Rivers (Winter Park, Fla.), I don’t know why he wants to go to Duke. I don’t understand that. I mean, I just don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to go to Florida. There’s no better place than Florida.
HSH: Well, you’re obviously not wavering. What kind of an impact do you feel you can have next season?
PY: I think I can have an impact for sure. I want to come in and rebound and play hard. I think that I’ll bring a toughness. That’s a little bit of a problem this season. It seems like Vernon (Macklin) may be the most vocal guy out there and he’s not really that vocal. I honestly think that we’ll have a chance to be really good next season. And I am gonna do everything that I can to be a key part of it.
Got a burning question for Jason? Email him: JasonJ@DimeMag.com
because duke doesnt fight for nit bids
That\’s clareed my thoughts. Thanks for contributing.