GALLOWAY, N.J. — On the same day that The Star-Ledger ran a huge front-page sports story indicating that Sports U was now the premier AAU team in New Jersey based on their four tournament wins this summer, Mike Young and his Playaz teammates had something to say about that.
Behind 17 points from the 6-foot-9, 230-pound St. Benedict’s Prep power forward, the Playaz beat Sports U, 55-52 in OT, during pool play at Live in AC here at Stockton College.
“We was just letting them know, man, that we’re the premier team in the tri-stare area, the best team team in the tri-state area,” Young told SNY.tv.
“They got a win on us in the Rumble in the Bronx but we came out here and showed them what it really was.”
As far as his own play, Young is a strong, athletic forward who recently picked up offers from UConn and N.C. State within the last week.
“I got UConn going down to Peach Jam and N.C.. State during Peach Jam,” he said.
UConn head coach Jim Calhoun and assistant Glen Miller both called Young.
“They just said they like my game,” Young said. “I can do a lot of things on the court. Coach Calhoun likes that I can play multiple positions, the three and the four. He said I’m a very versatile player, I’m just a basketball player.”
N.C. State coach Mark Gottfried also called.
“From watching a few games, he’s really impressed with my game, likes my activity, willingness to do little things to get the job done,” Young said. “He said he thinks I’ll strive in their system.
“Both said I can come in play right away.”
Young now holds offers from UConn, N.C. State, Memphis, Xavier, St. John’s, West Virginia, Pitt, Rutgers, Florida, Miami, Seton Hall and Georgia Tech, among others.
“After the live period, in August I’m going to cut it down within the second or third week,” he said.
“September and October I’m going to take visits. I’m going to try to commit around November, Thanksgiving.”
A Pittsburgh native, Young has long had an affinity for Pitt and West Virginia but said that won’t sway his decision.
“They’re local,” he said. “That means I’m close to my family, I’m close to my home. It’s where I’m most comfortable but that won’t have an advantage in making my decision.”
For now, he’s just looking to win this tournament.
“We gotta win it,” he said. “If we don’t win it, it’s a failure.”
