CBB: Who Is Trae Young?

Trae Young, the freshman guard at Oklahoma, has taken the college basketball world by storm during the first month plus of the season. He has reminded us of players like Jimmer Fredette, Stephen Curry, and Buddy Hield, who have used their three-point prowess to become Player of the Year candidates. In just over a month of playing at the collegiate level, Young looks like one of the best players in the entire country, and it's leading to team success as well. Coming out of high school, he was a five-star recruit according to ESPN, and on February 16, 2017, he committed to Oklahoma, deciding to stay in his home state.

It wasn't until November 26, 2017, that Young really burst onto the scene with an incredible performance against the Oregon Ducks, who went to the Final Four last season. He dropped 43 points and seven assists to go with the 90-80 victory. And then in another primetime game at the Staples Center, against the USC Trojans, Young recorded 29 points and nine assists. The next game, against Wichita State? 29 points and 10 assists. Now the nation was finally starting to take notice. His name was climbing the boards on most Player of the Year lists, and he was, all of a sudden, projected to be drafted in the top five of the upcoming NBA Draft.

How would he be able to handle all of the hype that was suddenly cast on him? In his next game, against Northwestern State, he recorded 22 assists (tying an NCAA record) and putting up 26 points on 16 shots, while only playing 29 minutes in the 105-68 win. It's becoming more clear by every game that Young is here to stay. He has helped bring the Sooners back to relevancy after struggling last season, following a Final Four trip the year prior. Oklahoma is 10-1, with their only loss coming against Arkansas, and with conference play on the horizon, the Sooners will look to challenge Kansas behind Young's remarkable 28.5 points and 10.2 assists.

Photo Credit: CBS Sports.