Massilon Jackson’s Kyle Young (6-7) wasn’t on Michigan State’s radar before the first session of the NIKE Elite Youth Basketball League in Brooklyn (April 16-17). Since then, the Spartans have pursued the versatile Ohioan as a top recruiting priority in the Class of 2017.
“The first session in Brooklyn was when they first saw me,” said Young, who averaged 17.1 points and 8.5 rebounds in 16 regular-season EYBL games with King James Shooting Stars. “Coach Izzo called it a love at first sight type of thing. He called me two days after they watched me play. They came to my school the next week and offered me.”
Getting an offer from Michigan State vaulted the Spartans into Young’s Top 10, which also includes Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, Purdue, NC State, West Virginia, Butler, Florida, and Clemson.
“Getting an offer from Michigan State was super exciting, obviously,” said Young, the No. 139 ranked player in the 2017 Rivals150. “They are one of my Top 10. I have great feelings about them, and it’s a great school. I was psyched about it.”
Young hopes to make his college decision in November after taking all five of his allotted official visits.
Young did not participate in the Izzo Shootout due to a sports hernia.
Playing against top competition in the NIKE EYBL has accelerated Young’s development during the off-season.
“He is really maturing as a senior,” Jackson Coach Tim Debevec said. “He really took off in the EYBL once he started playing better competition. He’s always had skills for a big guy. Could really shoot the ball. He can step out and shoot the three. He’s scoring inside. But the big thing that I see is that he is getting tougher. He has really developed a toughness about him by lifting, gaining weight. He has a lot of confidence.”
Young was selected Stark County Player of the Year and first-team all-state as a junior.
“He’s a special kid,” Debevec said. “In a public school like ours only so many kids come through like him. We’ve been fortunate to have him. He’s been a starter for three years and every year he’s gotten better at something, whether its shooting, getting stronger, ballhandling.”
Young has improved his ballhandling and passing during the off-season.
“My guard play has gotten better,” he said. “Dribbling, shooting, being able to take people off the dribble and my passing. I’ve also improved my overall game.”
Young’s versatility makes him a good fit for Michigan State.
“Michigan State likes my versatility, and being 6-7 and being able to shoot the ball,” he said. “Coach Izzo thinks I’d be able to fit in their program really well. It’s a position that they’re going to need coming up.”
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