B.J. Young Continues Road to Arkansas

The emotional ride that guard took this past basketball season is one that most young athletes will never encounter.

There were more ups and downs in his senior season than lead changes in a typical Suburban North Conference game.

After some turmoil, soul searching and finally a state championship, Young ended his prep career by making the smartest decision in his still developing career.

Young decided to honor his commitment to Arkansas to play college basketball.

This despite the fact that the coach who recruited Young over a year ago, John Pelphrey, was fired March 13, the day after the Stars won the Class 5 title over Troy in Columbia, MO.

"I was kind of shocked after it happened," Young said. "My family and I tried to stay calm and focused. We talked about the options we had left."

Young had been recruited previously by Missouri, Illinois, Baylor, Marquette and Kansas. When a coach is fired, resigns or takes another coaching position, recruits are allowed to change their minds on where they have committed to play.

Enter Missouri coach Mike Anderson.

He was an assistant for 17 years at Arkansas before getting a head coaching job at Mizzou.

Anderson was hired March 23 to coach the Razorbacks. The decision for Young was suddenly as easy as completing a layup.

"Coach Anderson is a down to earth guy," Young said. “I like playing an up-and-down style with a pressure defense. He is that type of coach. I talked with my family, and I wanted to stay at Arkansas and make this work. I'm glad coach Anderson was hired there."

The sudden turn of events was almost fitting to his senior season.

McCluer North was undefeated nearing the midpoint of the season, and it looked like the only thing stopping them from a trip to Mizzou Arena was Chaminade senior sensation Bradley Beal.

The Stars then came down to Earth losing four of six games at a critical stretch. Young missed two games at a crucial point of the year after picking up technical fouls.

The first meeting with Chaminade,, ended in defeat, and Young patiently awaited for another shot at Beal and his pals.

The game that many fans will be talking about for decades featured Young scoring 27 points in the second half to beat Chaminade and send the Stars west to Columbia.

In essence, the title game had already been played. North had little trouble at Mizzou Arena, and Young and company shined in the spot light.

Young will honor his previous Arkansas wishes to move to his new surroundings shortly after graduation.

"I can't wait for my college career to begin, especially with coach Anderson and his staff," Young said. "I'm glad this all worked out."

Finally, an easy decision to end a terrific season.