As Trae Young became an NBA star known for his sharpshooting and playmaking abilities, he also took the college basketball world by storm during a single electrifying season. His meteoric rise from high school standout to college sensation captured the attention of basketball fans everywhere, setting records that established him as one of the most dynamic freshmen in NCAA history.
Despite his brief collegiate career, Young’s impact remains legendary in college basketball lore. The Oklahoma native turned hometown hero showcased a playing style that drew comparisons to Stephen Curry, combining exceptional range with impressive court vision. His decision to stay close to home forever changed the trajectory of Sooners basketball.
Oklahoma’s Hometown Hero Makes NCAA History
Even though Young was a highly recruited five-star prospect, he played college basketball at the University of Oklahoma and chose to represent his hometown Sooners. His roots ran deep in Norman, where he grew up just minutes from campus and even served as a ball boy for the team when he was young.
Young’s tremendous freshman season in 2017–2018 produced statistical accomplishments that seemed almost mythical. He became the only player in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in scoring with 27.4 points per game and assists with 8.7 assists per game, breaking records held by NBA legends.
His 876 points shattered the former Big 12 Conference freshmen record, which was held by Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley. Young’s playmaking was just as remarkable, finding open teammates. He dished out 279 assists to break the Oklahoma freshman record and became the first player in major conference history to record at least 800 points and at least 250 assists in a season.
Young’s performance earned him consensus first-team All-American honors and the Wayman Tisdale Award as the nation’s top freshman. His unanimous selection as Big 12 Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Big 12 further cemented his dominance at the collegiate level.
From College Sensation to NBA Draft Pick
Young’s playing style at Oklahoma was characterized by bold offensive creativity and exceptional range. His ability to shoot from well beyond the three-point line and create scoring opportunities through precise passing made the Sooners must watch television, though his defensive game needed development.
The Sooners finished with an overall record of 18-14 and a conference record of 8-10, receiving a No.10 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The team had the fifth-best scoring offense (84.9 PPG) in the nation, but they had defensive weaknesses that left the team struggling to succeed and took a loss to Rhode Island in the tournament’s early round.
Young had many memorable moments, including a 43-point outburst against Oregon, tying the NCAA single-game assists record with 22 assists against Northwestern State, and a career-high 48 points in an overtime thriller against Oklahoma State. His efficiency against Kansas, where he scored 26 points on only nine shots with nine assists, showed his game-changing potential.
KEEP READING: Who is Trae Young’s Wife? Meet Shelby Miller, the Woman Behind Oklahoma’s Assistant General Manager
Young declared for the 2018 NBA Draft following Oklahoma‘s exit from the tournament. He was picked 5th overall by Dallas before being traded to Atlanta. Young‘s legacy will endure at Oklahoma beyond statistics because he just returned to the program as assistant general manager, continuing his connection to the school that began his basketball career.
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