Mark Worthington
July 23, 2020
Mitchell Young
- Nationality: AUS
- Date of Birth: 6/08/90
- Place of Birth: Coffs Harbour (NSW)
- Position: FRD
- Height (CM): 206
- Weight (KG): 107
- Junior Assoc: QLD - Logan
- College: Saint Mary's (2009–2013)
- NBL DEBUT: 12/10/13
- AGE AT DEBUT: 23
- LAST NBL GAME: 16/02/19
- AGE AT LAST GAME: 28
- NBL History: Cairns 2014-15, 2019 | Townsville 2016 | Brisbane 2017-18
- Championships: 0
- None
BIO: Mitchell Young was born in Coffs Harbour (NSW) and began playing basketball as a junior with the Logan basketball program. Young received a scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) in 2007. He spent three years year there and played for the program’s state league team (2007, 2008, 2009).
NBL EXPERIENCE
Mitchell Young made his NBL debut with the Cairns Taipans at 23 years of age. He scored six points in his first game.
In 2013/14, Young averaged 4.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 0.7 assists as the Taipans finished in fifth place (12-16).
2014/15
In 2015, Cairns become the first regional team to finish the season in first place (21-7) since Geelong achieved the feat in 1984. Cairns also achieved a NBL first when Aaron Fearne utilised the same starting five of Scottie Wilbekin, Cameron Gliddon, Stephen Weigh, captain Alex Loughton and Matt Burston for all 28 games.
The roster did see some change during the season however, with training player Nathan Sobey (1.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.1 assists) being elevated into the squad mid-season after injuries to Corey Maynard (1.1 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.6 assists) and Shaun Bruce (3.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists).
in the semifinals, they faced off against 4th seeded Perth and behind the all-around brilliance of Wilbekin (28 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists), who was unstoppable in their game one win (71-64). Wilbekin (16 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists)then led Cairns to victory in game two (80-68), progressing to the Grand Final series.
Cairns would face the New Zealand Breakers and, despite having home-court advantage, lost the opening game 86–71. A buzzer-beating fade away from Breakers forward Ekene Ibekwe resulted in a game two loss (83–81) and the Taipans missing out on winning their first NBL championship.
Wilbekin (15.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists) would lead the team in scoring and assists, as well as take home the club’s MVP award as Young finished the season with 2.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game.
TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES
2015/16
Townsville entered 2015/16 after finishing sixth with an 11-17 record before going into voluntary administration during the off-season and eventually being cleared to continue in the NBL. Todd Blanchfield (to Melbourne), Steven Markovic (to Sydney), Mickell Gladness, Jacob Holmes (retired) and Greg Vanderjagt (retired) departed, with Vanderjagt moving onto Shawn Dennis’ coaching staff. Brian Conklin, Clint Steindl, Mitchell Norton, Mirko Djeric and Leon Henry returned, while Dennis added Nicholas Kay (via Metro State), Luke Schenscher (via Adelaide), Corey Maynard (via Cairns) and import Jordair Jett, with reigning NBL MVP Conklin re-signed and appointed captain.
Townsville opened the season against Melbourne at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on October 9, where Young (2 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block) came from the bench as United won 99-84. Conklin (25 points and 5 rebounds) and Steindl (13 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Townsville, while former Crocodile Blanchfield (29 points and 8 rebounds) led Melbourne.
Young (4.9 points and 4.1 rebounds across 27 games) had joined Townsville (via Cairns) after two seasons with the Taipans and became a regular member of Dennis’ frontcourt rotation, making 12 starts. He appeared in 27 of Townsville’s 28 games, with his only absence coming against New Zealand on January 29. No injury or other reason for the missed game was reported in the available material.
Schenscher (4.1 points and 3.1 rebounds across 13 games) ruptured a ligament in his left ankle and also dealt with back problems, increasing Young’s opportunities in the frontcourt. Harry Froling (via Canberra AIS/Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence) (1.6 points across 9 games) had already made a brief appearance as a development player in the opener before being used as an injury replacement for Schenscher. Conklin (13.5 points and 6.6 rebounds across 13 games) was cleared after an elbow broke Damian Martin’s jaw before a second elbow incident involving Mitch Creek resulted in a three-match suspension, with two games suspended for the remainder of the season. With Townsville 4-10 at the end of November, Conklin was released after what the club described as “a number of sub-par performances.” “Unfortunately the club has terminated my contract and I will no longer be able to captain this club. All the best to the boys and coaches going forward,” Conklin said. Omar Samhan (via Texas Legends) (13.3 points and 8.9 rebounds across 12 games), who had played alongside Young at Saint Mary’s, was signed for the remainder of the season to replace Conklin. Maynard (6.1 points across 25 games) later suffered an ankle injury, leading former Crocodile Christopher Cedar (via Mackay) (1.5 points across 2 games) to return on a two-game injury-replacement contract.
Young’s best game and first of two season-high 10-point performances came against Cairns on December 2, where Young (10 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block) made three of four field goals as Townsville defeated the Taipans 90-76. Jett (26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals) and Kay (16 points and 12 rebounds) led the Crocodiles, while Torrey Craig (18 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 3 blocks) was Cairns’ best.
Young (6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 blocks) remained in the starting lineup against Adelaide on December 10 as Townsville recovered from 15 points down inside the final four minutes to win 101-100. Jett (21 points and 5 assists) and Kay (19 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals) led the Crocodiles, while Jerome Randle (28 points and 7 assists) led Adelaide.
Jett (15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across all 28 games) finished as Townsville’s leading scorer and won the Kevin Sugars Medal as club MVP, while Steindl (12.7 points and 3.5 rebounds across all 28 games) was named NBL Most Improved Player and Kay (10.7 points and 6.6 rebounds across all 28 games) won Rookie of the Year. Norton (8.8 points across all 28 games) and Djeric (5.3 points across 24 games) were other regular contributors, while Dennis was named NBL Coach of the Year. Townsville went 7-7 following Conklin’s departure and finished 8-6 at home but managed only three road victories. The Crocodiles subsequently withdrew from the 2016/17 competition because of their financial position, leaving Young’s time with Townsville at one season before Young (to Brisbane) joined the returning Bullets.
Young’s final game for Townsville came against Sydney on February 13, where Young (4 points and 2 rebounds) played 14:42 from the bench as Samhan (25 points and 13 rebounds) and Steindl (25 points and 3 rebounds) led the Crocodiles, while Cadee (32 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists) led the Kings as Townsville won 126-123 in double overtime and completed an 11-17 season.
BRISBANE BULLETS
2016/17
During the 2016/17 season Young averaged 5.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.3 assists and helped the Bullets finish the regular season in eighth place (10-18).
2017/18
During the 2017/18 season, Young averaged 4.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.3 assists and was a part of the Bullets squad which finished in eighth place (9-19).
BRISBANE BULLETS
2016/17
Brisbane returned to the NBL after an eight-season absence with Australian Boomers coach Andrej Lemanis appointed head coach and Adam Gibson named captain. Daniel Kickert (via Melbourne), Tom Jervis (via Perth), Anthony Petrie (via Adelaide), Torrey Craig (via Cairns), Cameron Bairstow (via Chicago) and Jermaine Beal (via Perth) were among the players added to the rebuilt roster. Young (via Townsville) joined Brisbane alongside Shaun Bruce (via Cairns) and Reuben Te Rangi (via New Zealand) on April 29 after the Townsville Crocodiles withdrew from the NBL, cutting short the contract he had signed with the Crocodiles the previous year. “Reuben, Mitch and Shaun all have proven NBL experience, but they still have the prime time of their basketball careers ahead,” Lemanis said.
The forward opened the season against defending champion Perth at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on October 6, finishing with 8 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal in 19 minutes off the bench as Craig (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals), Beal (14 points and 4 rebounds) and Gibson (11 points and 2 steals) helped Brisbane win 72-65, while Jameel McKay (18 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks) led Perth.
Young (5.5 points across 28 games) appeared in every game during his first season with Brisbane and did not miss a game through injury or illness. He came off the bench in Brisbane’s first 17 games before starting the final 11, finishing the season with 153 points and 79 rebounds while shooting 57.4 percent from the field.
Young’s best game came against New Zealand at Vector Arena on November 6, where Young (14 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists) made 5-of-10 shots and added four free throws in 19 minutes. Kirk Penney (30 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Breakers, with Alex Pledger (12 points, 12 rebounds, and 3 blocks) controlling the paint as New Zealand defeated Brisbane 86-70.
Brisbane’s frontcourt was hit by injuries during December, increasing Young’s role. Bairstow (12.8 points and 6.5 rebounds across 13 games) tore the ACL in his left knee during an overtime loss to Illawarra on December 19 and was ruled out for the remainder of the season, while Petrie (7.1 points and 3.1 rebounds across 18 games) required surgery after suffering cartilage damage in his left knee and missed the final 10 games. Young moved into the starting lineup on December 26 and remained there for the rest of the season. Gibson (9.8 points and 3.8 assists across 21 games) later suffered a calf injury against Illawarra on January 13 and missed Brisbane’s final seven games. Jeremy Kendle (via Bendigo) joined as an injury replacement before Beal (11.2 points across 23 games) was released on January 21 following a decline in form, with Kendle (11 points across 7 games) then becoming part of the permanent roster.
Young recorded his season-high against Perth at Perth Arena on February 3, where Young (16 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block) made 8-of-10 shots in 18 minutes. Bryce Cotton (25 points) and Greg Hire (20 points) led Perth, which defeated the injury-hit Bullets 94-63.
Craig (15.2 points and 8 rebounds across 28 games) led Brisbane in scoring and rebounding, won the NBL Best Defensive Player award and earned All-NBL Second Team honours. Kickert (12.8 points and 4 rebounds across 28 games) joined Craig on the All-NBL Second Team and became the first player in NBL history to qualify for a 50-40-90 season, while Jervis (7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds across 28 games) and Bruce (5.9 points across 28 games) provided the other main contributions.
Brisbane’s season ended against Illawarra at WIN Entertainment Centre on February 11, where Young (6 points and 5 rebounds) made his 11th consecutive start as Craig (30 points and 18 rebounds) and Jervis (14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks) led Brisbane, while Oscar Forman (26 points) and Rotnei Clarke (24 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists) powered Illawarra to a 106-79 win, leaving the Bullets eighth with a 10-18 record.
2017/18
After finishing eighth with a 10-18 record in their first season back in the NBL, Brisbane entered 2017/18 with Andrej Lemanis remaining head coach and Adam Gibson captain. Torrey Craig (to Denver), Jermaine Beal (to Israel) and Jeremy Kendle (to South West Metro) departed, while Daniel Kickert, Tom Jervis, Reuben Te Rangi, Anthony Petrie and Mitchell Young returned. Travis Trice (via Cairns), Stephen Holt (via Czech Republic) and Perrin Buford (via Italy) were added, while Cameron Bairstow remained sidelined while recovering from the ACL injury suffered the previous season.
Glandular fever delayed Young (4.5 points and 2.4 rebounds across 25 games) to begin the season, keeping him out of Brisbane’s opening three games. He was given clearance to begin cardio work following the opening-round loss to Perth and returned against New Zealand on October 26, playing every remaining game of the season. The illness continued to affect him, with Young still described as battling glandular fever in late January.
Development player Will Magnay (via Tulsa) joined Brisbane in October on a three-year deal after leaving Tulsa University.
On January 27, Young (11 points and 4 rebounds) provided a major lift in less than 10 minutes as Brisbane ended a seven-game losing streak with a 95-90 win over Adelaide. Buford (24 points and 5 rebounds) and Trice (15 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals) led the Bullets, while Daniel Johnson (25 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists) led Adelaide.
Buford (15.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks across 22 games) requested his release in February to pursue opportunities in Europe (to Europe), with general manager Richard Clarke saying he was no longer committed to the team and adding, “The coaches will also use this as an opportunity to continue to invest in our young players and give them increased court time.”
Young’s best game came two days later against Illawarra on February 8, where Young (13 points) made three of four shots from the field and seven of eight free throws in just over nine minutes as Brisbane defeated the Hawks 99-91. Kickert (21 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals) and Trice (12 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists) led the Bullets, while Demitrius Conger (21 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals) led Illawarra, with the victory Brisbane’s first over the Hawks in 10 years.
Trice (15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals across 27 games) was named Brisbane’s club MVP, while Kickert (13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds across 26 games) completed a 50-40-90 season for the second consecutive year. Jervis (10.2 points and 4.6 rebounds across 24 games), Holt (9.7 points and 3.1 rebounds across all 28 games), Te Rangi (7.3 points and 2.7 rebounds across 26 games), Gibson (7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across 24 games) and Petrie (5.9 points and 2.9 rebounds across 16 games) were the other main contributors.
Brisbane closed the season in Adelaide on February 17, where Young (7 points and 2 steals) came off the bench as the 36ers defeated the Bullets 105-82. Trice (20 points) and Holt (12 points) led Brisbane, while Majok Deng (20 points and 3 steals) led Adelaide, leaving the Bullets in eighth place with a 9-19 record.
2018/19
After finishing sixth with an 11-17 record, Cairns replaced Aaron Fearne with Mike Kelly and rebuilt a roster which had lost Cameron Gliddon (to Brisbane), Mitchell McCarron (to Melbourne), Jarrad Weeks (to New Zealand) and Stephen Weigh (retired). Mitchell Young (via Brisbane) returned to the Taipans after previously playing for Cairns between 2013 and 2015, joining Rob Loe (via New Zealand), Lucas Walker (via Perth), Jarrod Kenny (via Perth), Dexter Kernich-Drew (via Perth) and imports Melo Trimble, Devon Hall and DJ Newbill (via New Zealand). Cairns defeated Brisbane 88-70 in its opening game before losing 14 straight.
Young (2 points across 23 games) played a limited reserve role and did not start a game. He did not appear in five games, with no injury reported during the season.
Young’s best game came in Cairns’ home opener against Illawarra on October 21, where he made three of four shots and finished with 7 points and 6 rebounds in 12 minutes. Trimble (28 points and 5 assists) and Newbill (22 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists) led Cairns, but Todd Blanchfield (32 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 block), Jordair Jett (22 points and 5 assists) and Brian Conklin (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) powered the Hawks to a 104-93 win.
Young (5 points) contributed when Cairns finally ended its 14-game losing streak on January 3, with Hall (24 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal), Jawai (18 points and 4 assists) and Kenny (15 points and 6 rebounds) leading the Taipans to a 109-80 win over Brisbane, while Lamar Patterson (27 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists) led the Bullets.
Trimble (21.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals across 27 games) earned All-NBL Second Team honours and won the Taipans’ MVP, while Newbill (14.3 points and 4 rebounds across 27 games), Jawai (10 points and 5.2 rebounds across 27 games), Hall (8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds across 28 games), Loe (7.5 points and 4.8 rebounds across 28 games), Loughton (6.5 points across 25 games) and Walker (6.1 points and 4 rebounds across 26 games) were Cairns’ other major contributors.
Young (0 points in 2:48) made his final NBL appearance against Sydney on February 16, with Trimble (21 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists) and Loughton (17 points and 3 rebounds) leading Cairns while Bogut (12 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks) helped Sydney defeat the Taipans 89-84, leaving Cairns last with a 6-22 record.
Mitchell Young played six seasons in the NBL. He averaged 4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 163 NBL games.
NBL TOTAL STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 28 | Cairns | 6-22 (8) | 23 | 178 | 45 | 42 | 5 | 17 | 25 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 27 | 18 | 39 | 46% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 9 | 14 | 64% | 49% | 46% | 7 |
| 2017-18 | 27 | Brisbane | 9-19 (8) | 25 | 239 | 113 | 60 | 7 | 24 | 36 | 11 | 5 | 13 | 32 | 42 | 82 | 51% | 0 | 0 | 0% | 29 | 41 | 71% | 56% | 51% | 13 |
| 2016-17 | 26 | Brisbane | 10-18 (8) | 28 | 369 | 153 | 79 | 7 | 40 | 39 | 13 | 6 | 27 | 69 | 62 | 108 | 57% | 0 | 1 | 0% | 29 | 41 | 71% | 60% | 57% | 16 |
| 2015-16 | 25 | Townsville | 11-17 (7) | 27 | 470 | 133 | 110 | 13 | 46 | 64 | 2 | 12 | 24 | 71 | 48 | 109 | 44% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 48 | 107 | 45% | 42% | 44% | 10 |
| 2014-15 | 24 | Cairns | 21-7 (1) | 32 | 357 | 87 | 68 | 12 | 32 | 36 | 4 | 3 | 19 | 51 | 32 | 81 | 40% | 0 | 3 | 0% | 23 | 40 | 58% | 44% | 40% | |
| 2013-14 | 23 | Cairns | 12-16 (5) | 28 | 466 | 125 | 87 | 20 | 39 | 48 | 7 | 12 | 26 | 71 | 50 | 121 | 41% | 0 | 2 | 0% | 25 | 40 | 63% | 45% | 41% | Totals | 163 | 2079 | 656 | 446 | 64 | 198 | 248 | 42 | 43 | 120 | 321 | 252 | 540 | 46.7% | 0 | 10 | 0.0% | 163 | 283 | 57.6% | 49% | 47% | 16 |
NBL PER GAME STATISTICS
| SEASON | AGE | TEAM | TEAM RECORD | GP | MINS | PTS | REB | AST | OR | DR | STL | BLK | TO | PF | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | TS% | EFG% | HS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 28 | Cairns | 6-22 (8) | 23 | 7.7 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 46% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 0.4 | 0.6 | 64% | 49% | 46% | 7 |
| 2017-18 | 27 | Brisbane | 9-19 (8) | 25 | 9.5 | 4.5 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 3.3 | 51% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.2 | 1.6 | 71% | 56% | 51% | 13 |
| 2016-17 | 26 | Brisbane | 10-18 (8) | 28 | 13.2 | 5.5 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 3.9 | 57% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0% | 1.0 | 1.5 | 71% | 60% | 57% | 16 |
| 2015-16 | 25 | Townsville | 11-17 (7) | 27 | 17.4 | 4.9 | 4.1 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 2.4 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 1.8 | 4.0 | 44% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 1.8 | 4.0 | 45% | 42% | 44% | 10 |
| 2014-15 | 24 | Cairns | 21-7 (1) | 32 | 11.2 | 2.7 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 40% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 0.7 | 1.3 | 58% | 44% | 40% | |
| 2013-14 | 23 | Cairns | 12-16 (5) | 28 | 16.6 | 4.5 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.9 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 4.3 | 41% | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0% | 0.9 | 1.4 | 63% | 45% | 41% | Total | 163 | 12.8 | 4.0 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 3.3 | 46.7% | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0% | 0.1 | 57.6% | 49% | 47% | 16 |
CAREER HIGHS
| POINTS | REBOUNDS | ASSISTS | STEALS | BLOCKS | TURNOVERS | TRIPLE DOUBLES | 16 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
|---|
STATE LEAGUE EXPERIENCE
- AIS (2007–2009), Cairns (2014), Logan (2015–2021)
Young joined AIS for the 2007 SEABL season, beginning his development within the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence program and competing across the 2007 to 2009 SEABL seasons against senior opposition while establishing himself as a frontcourt contributor during his junior years.
He continued with AIS through the 2008 SEABL season, gaining extended minutes against experienced competition and contributing across multiple statistical categories as part of the program’s development pathway.
Young completed his AIS tenure in the 2009 SEABL season, finishing his three-year stint with consistent involvement in the rotation and experience against elite SEABL opposition before departing for college.
He joined Cairns for the 2014 QBL season, averaging 17.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists across 18 games while recording multiple double-doubles and helping Cairns reach the playoffs.
Young joined Logan for the 2015 QBL season, averaging 16.5 points and 9.4 rebounds across 19 games as the team qualified for the postseason.
He remained with Logan for the 2016 QBL season, improving to 18.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game across 20 appearances while anchoring the frontcourt rotation.
A return to Logan in the 2017 QBL season saw him average 17.6 points and 9.8 rebounds across 20 games, again contributing consistently on the interior.
During the 2018 QBL season with Logan, he averaged 19.1 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists across 19 games and was named to the QBL All-League Team, leading the Thunder to a playoff appearance.
He continued with Logan for the 2019 QBL season, averaging 18.7 points and 10.2 rebounds across 18 games while recording multiple 20-point, 10-rebound performances as Logan reached the postseason.
Young remained with Logan through the 2020 season period, continuing his role as a key interior presence during the transition to NBL1 North competition structures.
He rejoined Logan for the 2021 NBL1 North season, averaging 17.9 points and 9.6 rebounds across 16 games while maintaining his status as a primary frontcourt option.
COLLEGE
Mitchell Young played four years of college basketball for Saint Mary’s College of California from 2009–10 through 2012–13, and he spent that full run alongside Matthew Dellavedova from 2009 to 2013 as part of Saint Mary’s sustained West Coast Conference contender era under Randy Bennett.
Young appeared in 131 games with 38 starts for the Gaels, finishing his Saint Mary’s career with 878 points (6.7 per game) and 542 rebounds (4.1 per game) across 2,251 total minutes, while shooting .556 from the field for his career, a mark that Saint Mary’s listed as tied for sixth in school history at the time he completed his senior season.
As a freshman in 2009–10, Young played in all 34 games as a reserve (13.5 minutes per game), averaged 3.9 points and 2.8 rebounds, and ranked third on the team with 22 blocked shots while also posting early single-game bests that season including 12 points versus Howard and a five-block, seven-rebound outing against Santa Clara.
That first year also overlapped with Saint Mary’s 2010 NCAA Tournament run to the Sweet 16, where the Gaels reached the regional semifinal before falling to Baylor, giving Young early exposure to high-stakes March basketball as part of a veteran-led group that pushed deep into the bracket.
Young’s sophomore season in 2010–11 became his first major statistical jump, as he averaged 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in 21.2 minutes per game, scored in double figures 19 times, and was noted by Saint Mary’s as a WCC leader in field-goal percentage throughout the season while producing a string of big performances including 28 points versus Long Beach State (13-of-18 shooting) and 20 points at New Mexico State (10-of-14 shooting).
During that 2010–11 campaign, Young also earned West Coast Conference Co-Player of the Week honours after a two-game burst that produced 48 combined points, and he delivered key tournament moments including 17 points in the WCC Tournament semifinals against Santa Clara, as Saint Mary’s finished as WCC regular-season co-champions and later played in the NIT.
In his junior season (2011–12), Young appeared in 28 games with three starts, averaged 4.6 points and 2.8 rebounds, and shot .607 from the floor, but his year was interrupted by injuries including an early groin issue and a later foot injury that cost him five total games, limiting his continuity during conference play.
Even with that stop-start junior year, Young delivered one of his most efficient March performances in the 2012 NCAA Tournament, matching his season-high with 12 points against Purdue while going 6-of-8 from the field as Saint Mary’s returned to the national stage.
As a senior in 2012–13, Young became a full-time starter, starting all 35 games and averaging 7.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, finishing 12th in the WCC in rebounding average, and adding perimeter range into his profile with six made three-pointers while shooting .734 at the free-throw line for the season.
That senior year included multiple signature events and game swings credited directly to Young, highlighted by his late free throws against Harvard on December 31, 2012 when he hit two at the line with 1.1 seconds remaining to give Saint Mary’s its only lead of the night in a 70–69 win, and he paired that clutch sequence with a season-high 16 points in the same game.
Young also produced senior-season rebound impact games that stood out across the schedule, including 10 rebounds against Northern Iowa, nine rebounds to lead the Gaels against LMU, and a 14-point game versus San Francisco where he went 6-for-6 at the line, reinforcing his role as a reliable frontcourt finisher alongside Saint Mary’s veteran guard play.
In postseason play during March 2013, Young delivered a notable WCC Tournament performance against San Diego in the semifinals, scoring 12 points and then adding four points in overtime as Saint Mary’s advanced to the WCC championship game against Gonzaga, extending the Gaels’ run of high-leverage conference tournament appearances during the Dellavedova era.
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