Kristian Ferrell
CJ Young was a basketball player from Charlotte, North Carolina, who played with Steph Curry as a child on the AAU Charlotte Stars. Young was a talented player with speed, athleticism, and hand-eye coordination, and he helped push Curry to improve and develop as a player. Young and Curry went on to have successful high school careers, but their paths diverged after that, with Curry attending Davidson College and leading the Wildcats to the Elite Eight in 2008. Young, meanwhile, stands at 6'1 and attends Woodbury in New Jersey as of 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | C.J. Young |
| Height | 6'1" |
| Position | Point Guard |
| School | Woodbury, New Jersey |
| Childhood Friend | Steph Curry |
| Relationship with Steph Curry | Teammate and opponent |
| Description by Steph Curry | "I was clearly overmatched" |
| Description by ESPN's Jackie MacMullan | "CJ was a monster. He was a physical specimen who had speed, athleticism and hand-eye coordination." |
| Illness | Unknown illness that impacted his career |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
CJ Young's early basketball career
CJ Young was a talented basketball player from a young age, known for his speed, athleticism, and hand-eye coordination. He played with Steph Curry on the AAU Charlotte Stars when they were 10 to 12 years old, and his father, Carl, was a coach for the team. Young's physicality posed a challenge for Curry, who was smaller and skinnier in comparison. Young's instructions from his father were to "work Steph over", and he did just that—bumping, pounding, and delivering karate chops to Curry during practices. This helped to toughen up Curry and played a key role in his development as a player. Curry himself acknowledged that going up against Young gave him the confidence to face similar situations in the NBA.
Young and Curry both went on to find success in high school, but their paths diverged after that. Young attended Woodbury High School in New Jersey, where he stood out as a 6'1" Point Guard. Curry, on the other hand, didn't receive many offers from big-name colleges, so he opted to attend mid-major Davidson, leading the Wildcats to the Elite Eight in 2008. Unfortunately, illness prevented Young from pursuing basketball at a higher level, cutting short a promising career.
Will Rogers Memorial Stadium: Home of Tulsa Basketball
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Young's impact on Steph Curry
In 2002, a young and promising basketball player named C.J. Young enrolled at Charlotte Christian School in North Carolina. He quickly made an impact on the court, leading the team to a state championship and earning the title of tournament MVP. One of his teammates during this successful campaign was a young Stephen Curry, who would go on to become one of the greatest players in NBA history. Young's influence on Curry extended beyond their time as high school teammates. They developed a close friendship, often playing one-on-one games together and pushing each other to improve. Young was known for his smooth shooting form and exceptional scoring ability, which likely left an impression on the young Curry, who was just beginning to develop his own legendary shooting prowess.
Young's impact on Curry's development is evident when examining their playing styles. Both players possessed a natural talent for shooting and had an uncanny ability to create space and get their shots off quickly. Young was also an excellent ball-handler and passer, skills that Curry would also refine as he progressed through the ranks. It is safe to say that Young played a role in shaping Curry's all-around game during their time together. Curry himself has spoken about the impact of playing with talented teammates during his high school years, and Young was certainly one of the most influential among them.
Another way in which Young may have influenced Curry is through their shared experience of dealing with the pressures and expectations of being a highly touted prospect. Both players were standouts from a young age and had to navigate the challenges that come with being in the spotlight. They likely supported each other through these experiences, and Young's presence may have helped Curry develop the mental fortitude and resilience that he is known for today.
While Young's basketball career took a different path, with him playing college ball at several schools and then pursuing a professional career overseas, his impact on Curry is undeniable. They remained friends long after their high school graduation, and it is clear that their time as teammates and friends left a lasting impression on Curry's development as a player and a person. Curry has gone on to achieve incredible success in the NBA, and while he is the one in the spotlight today, he likely still carries with him the lessons and influences imparted by his friend and teammate, C.J. Young.
Perfect Your 3-Point Shot: Tips for Basketball Players
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Young's rookie season with the Boston Celtics
James Young was selected by the Boston Celtics with the 17th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. On July 10, 2014, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Celtics. Young's rookie season with the Boston Celtics was marked by setbacks and limited playing time. Injuries forced him to miss the summer league, most of the training camp, and part of the early season. As a result, Young spent a significant amount of time during his rookie season playing for the Maine Red Claws in the D-League, where he had 11 assignments. Initially resistant to playing in the D-League, Young eventually embraced it and even requested to be sent to Maine in December.
Young finally got his opportunity with the Celtics on January 5, 2015, scoring a season-high 13 points in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets. This performance earned him a consistent run in the rotation, averaging 3.8 points in 12.9 minutes per game until March 6. However, he only managed four more appearances to close out the regular season and did not feature in any of the Celtics' playoff games against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Young's rookie season with the Celtics was always going to be challenging due to the team's depth on the wing. He faced competition for playing time from Evan Turner and Gerald Wallace, who were also vying for backup minutes behind Jeff Green. Despite his limited impact, Young showed glimpses of his potential, particularly with his catch-and-shoot accuracy, which could have been a valuable asset alongside a talented distributor like Rajon Rondo.
Young's rookie contract was extended through the 2016-17 season, and he joined the Celtics for the 2015 NBA Summer League. His performance was underwhelming, but he still made the final roster for the 2015-16 season. Young's early opportunities that season mirrored his rookie year, as he spent time with the Red Claws before making his season debut for the Celtics on November 10, 2015, playing in the final 49 seconds of a win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
UVM Men's Basketball Conference: What, Where, When?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![CJ Instant Rice: Cooked White Hetbahn, Gluten-Free & Vegan, Instant & Microwaveable, No Preservatives, Healthy & Delicious, 7.4 Ounce [12 Bowls] (Pack of 12)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61q+vf13xAL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Young's illness and career
CJ Young, a former basketball player from Charlotte, North Carolina, was a highly touted prospect with impressive physical attributes. Young's speed, athleticism, and hand-eye coordination made him a formidable opponent, even at a young age. He is best known for his childhood rivalry with future NBA superstar Steph Curry, whom he pushed to improve and helped develop the skills to compensate for his smaller stature.
Young's career began promisingly. In 2012, he signed a letter of intent to play college basketball for the University of Kentucky. As a freshman, he excelled, finishing second in UK single-season freshman history with 82 made three-pointers. His impressive performances earned him SEC Freshman of the Week honours twice, along with other accolades. Young's success continued as he was selected 17th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2014 NBA Draft. However, injuries plagued his rookie season, causing him to miss significant portions of the year. Despite this setback, Young persevered and saw increased playing time in January 2015, scoring a season-high 13 points against the Charlotte Hornets.
Unfortunately, Young's career was short-lived due to an illness that prevented him from reaching his full potential. Details of his illness are scarce, but it evidently impacted his ability to play at the highest level. Young's illness cut short a promising basketball career, and he never got the opportunity to showcase his talents consistently in the NBA.
Despite his illness, Young continued to pursue his basketball career internationally. In August 2019, he signed with Maccabi Haifa of the Israeli Premier League. During the 2019-2020 season, he excelled, leading the league in scoring with an average of 20.5 points per game. This performance caught the attention of the New York Knicks, who signed him in December 2020. However, he was waived before the start of the NBA season and assigned to their G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks.
The Speed of Basketball Spin: How Quick?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Young's performance in the 2015 NBA Summer League
James Calvin Young, born on August 16, 1995, is an American basketball player who last played for the Ipswich Force of the NBL1 North. Young was selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics, with whom he signed a rookie scale contract on July 10, 2014.
Injuries forced Young to miss the 2014 summer league, most of the training camp, and part of the early season. However, in July 2015, he joined the Celtics for the NBA Summer League. In five games, Young averaged 9.4 points and 3.4 rebounds, shooting 27.1% from the field and 22.7% from three-point range. His performance was considered underwhelming, and he played the fewest preseason minutes of anyone who made the final 2015-2016 opening night roster.
Despite his underwhelming performance in the Summer League, the Celtics exercised their third-year team option on Young's rookie scale contract on October 30, extending it through the 2016-2017 season. Young's early opportunities in the 2015-2016 season mirrored his rookie season, as he spent time with the Red Claws before making his season debut for the Celtics on November 10, playing in the final 49 seconds of their win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
The 2015 NBA Summer League was held in Las Vegas, with 23 teams participating, including the Boston Celtics. Each team played five games, and points were awarded to determine the final standings. The San Antonio Spurs won the championship, defeating the Phoenix Suns 93-90, and Kyle Anderson was named the league's Most Valuable Player.
OREB in Basketball: Understanding Offensive Rebounds and Their Impact
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
CJ Young's career was cut short due to illness. Young was a childhood teammate and opponent of Steph Curry, who recalled feeling "overmatched" by Young when they played together on the AAU Charlotte Stars as 12-year-olds.
Young was described by Curry as a monster with speed, athleticism and hand-eye coordination.
Young pushed Curry to improve and helped him develop ways to compensate for his smaller size on the court. Curry credits Young with giving him the confidence to face bigger opponents when he entered the NBA.
![[ 2 Packs ] CJ Korean BBQ Sauce, Kalbi, 29.63-Ounce Bottle for Ribs](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Ub0DsdS+L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
![[ Pack of 2 ] CJ Bulgogi Marinade Korean BBQ Sauce, 29.63 Ounce Bottles](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61GoJFETW8L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
