6’3 ’20 Derek Young (Mars Dynasty) had another stellar event at a Phenom sponsored event. At the Phenom Grassroots Tip Off Classic, he provided us another glimpse at his upside and potential. We got a chance to watch him extensively at the Phenom 150 camp back in October of 2016. Even then, we were impressed with his strong frame and incredible feel for the game, especially on both ends of the court. With his size, he is able to impose his will on smaller defenders using his strength and athleticism. At the Phenom 150 camp, we stated, “Derek Young plays like a man on a mission, scoring and distributing comes very easily to him. He will be one to watch out for the upcoming travel ball season.”
At the Grassroots Tip Off Classic, Derek Young enjoyed an outstanding tournament. He averaged 22 PPG, 8 RPG, and 2 BPG. In speaking with MARS DYNASTY coach Barney Harris, he stated, “Young has been Mr. Consistency for his team. Better yet, he has been virtually unstoppable. He is a very strong power forward with a soft touch around the basket. He is very athletic and runs the floor like a guard. His high basketball IQ keeps him in position to score, rebound and block shots.”
What have impressed us over the course of several viewings and evaluations are his effort, energy and overall competitive nature. Young plays with a motor that won’t stop and his full throttle approach to the game is quite appealing. Coach Harris also stated, “Young has a desire to learn and get better. Ball handling is next in his overall development as his athleticism and touch will get him plenty of opportunities from behind the arch.” Overall, Young has all the physical attributes to be an outstanding high school player and beyond. Depending on his physical growth, if Young continues to work on his perimeter skills, he has a legitimate chance to become a D1 prospect.