PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — Patric Young is all set. The fierce 6-foot-9 senior-to-be is headed to Florida, giving a verbal commitment on November 15. He has the wingspan of a condor and the peace of mind that his college future is set. But that didn’t stop Young from going full tilt at anyone in his way Wednesday, during the first day of the 3rd Annual Reebok All-American camp at Philadelphia University.
Young came into this camp wanting to prove he belongs among the nation’s elite. The beauty contest that these camps can be produced no better stage. With some of the top college coaches in the nation looking on, like Kansas assistant Danny Manning, Virginia Tech’s Seth Greenberg, Temple’s Fran Dunphy and St. Joseph’s Phil Martelli, Young was rather emphatic in showing who the best power forward in the camp is.
He was an intimidating force defensively, swatting away and altering shots, and was unstoppable inside at times, slamming home misses and grabbing offensive rebounds.
Most importantly, Young gave Florida assistant coach Richard Pitino, Rick Pitino’s son, and early glimpse of what’s coming to Gainesville in 2010.
“It’s what intended, it’s what I came here to do, to prove I deserve to have a spot here,” Young said after a long and mentally trying first day. “The only way I really think I can show what I’m able to do is work hard to get better. I learned last year what hard work got me playing here last year. I have to show people that I am the goods.”
Young blocked two shots, scored 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in leading his Gatorade team to a victory over Answer 13, 72-70, in overtime completing the first day of round-robin games.
“What I like about Young is his intensity to go along with his physical features,” said Norm Eavenson, who works for Bob Gibbons All-Star Sports. “Young is certainly one of the most imposing high school prospects. He’s going to outwork his opponent. What I really like is that a lot of big guys are not as intimidating as they could be, Young isn’t a maybe—he is intimidating.”
“I’m kind of happy with the way this day ended,” said Young, who plays for Providence School in Jacksonville, Fla. “I wasn’t too happy when the day began. I scored two points and I realize this is a guard’s camp. It would be nice to see the ball, but it’s something you kind of expect in an all-star game. This is a real different setting than playing with your AAU team, because you know all of the guys on the team, and certainly with your high school team. With tournaments like this, you don’t know what your teammates can do. It’s all about trust.”
Young, however, could have a fun and interesting dilemma on his hands next spring. A right-handed pitcher on the Providence baseball team, Young has been clocked with an 85 mph fastball, and he says baseball was his first love, but it had to take a backseat when basketball became more prominent in his life.
But next spring, Young will shake off the one-year dust of his baseball glove and pitch again. What could happen—and that’s could happen—is a baseball scout sees the athletic 6-9 righty on the mound and decides that he may be worth some added attention. Imposing as he is on the court, he could be that much more fearsome on the mound—and worthy enough for a Major League team to take a look.
“It’s a nice thought, but my commitment is to Florida and playing basketball,” Young said. “I’d like to give Florida baseball a shot, but that will come after basketball season. That’s what I’m thinking about now, Florida and basketball.”
Joseph Santoliquito covers high schools for the Philadelphia Daily News and is a contributor to MaxPreps.com. He can be contacted at JSantoliquito@yahoo.com.
