Al Young a 2nd-round fit for Sixers? More prospects in town Saturday
Al Young a 2nd-round fit for Sixers? More prospects in town Saturday
While bringing in former Villanova guard Dominic Cheek earlier in the week had a nice local flavor, I think that if there was a player in the first group of rookies the to work out for the team that the Sixers might have had some legitimate interest in drafting in the second round it was swingman Alex Young.
The 6-6 senior guard from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, the same school that produced Indiana guard George Hill, doesn’t come from a well-known program, but his skill set has caught the attention of a number of NBA teams.
At 6-6, Young is viewed a guy who can stroke it from NBA 3-point territory. He’s long and athletic – with a very long wingspan – and he doesn’t have an aversion to playing defense. As a professional he projects as a much better defender than unrestricted Jodie Meeks, whom the Sixers will probably say goodbye to during the summer.
The Sixers will probably go big with their first pick (15th overall). However, don’t be surprised if one of their later picks (45th or 54th) is used on a guard who can shoot, has length and can defend. Young is not projected as a first-round pick. However, he could very well attract some team’s eye, maybe even the Sixers, in the second round.
On Saturday morning the Sixers will take another look at a crop of rookies at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Slated to audition for the Sixers are Temple center Michael Eric; Mississippi power forward Terrance Henry; Norfolk State forward Kyle O’Quinn; Northwestern forward John Shurna; and Georgetown center Henry Sims.
My hunch from that group was Kim English, who was quite proficient from 3 pointland 45%, while being the team leader at Missouri, a team that won over 30 games last year...But Courtney Witte is from Indiana, and not bringing in a guy like Young from your backyard would be verboten.— bearsfriend- Alex young had a 33.75% from 3pt when his averages are totaled for 4 seasons including 3 seasons ago when he had a breakout 39%. I'm not sure that is really stroking it well from 3pt. As bad as Meeks is, he isn't that bad! I agree with bearsfriend about English with the 45% actually 45.9 so basically 46% from 3. Needs to work on his ft% at a paltry 72% when 3pt shooters usually shoot the free throws pretty great as well. I'm all for local loyalty but this would be a no-brainer. We got the local pick (and paid off) in LaVoy so this season we should go for the need over a local product (except maybe their 3rd pick?) Their first two picks should be a PF or C and 2nd round a shooter/scorer and maybe go with Young if he is still onboard with their 54th pick.— joecooler2u
- If Lou does opt out, I'm hoping the Sixers take Maalik Wayns with their second 2cnd. — bearsfriend
- Young isn't a tremendous athlete but atleast he can shoot. I agree that he would be a nice 2nd rounder.— MrMiles1
- I don't recall Young's game but if he's anything like Iman Shumpert from the Knicks, it will be a great pick. Shump (similar size to Young) was a shut-down defender this year, changing the momentum of games with his hustle and D.— Shragez
- I wonder how much Meeks is going to get out on the free agent market. Meeks is pretty serviceable as a 4th guard and he's a better defender at the NBA level than Kim English was at Missouri in my opinion. It might be worth re-signing Meeks. Of course, my philosophy is to try to develop the talent you already have rather than "reshuffle the deck" every year. Meeks is pretty streaky as a shooter, but he has the potential to become much more consistent.— DeanoP44
- Wayns is a loser. Not much D.— 2smart4philly
- @deanop44....i dont ever and i mean ever want to see meeks in a 76ers uniform again he stinks he can play d if he not hit his jumper he no good doesnt bring anything else to the table.— teebone40
- Ummm, if Young shoots 33% from college 3pt line he doesn't sound like the solution to anyone's problems.— JBinPA
- Meeks might be a serviceable 5th guard. Maybe. I like Kim English as second rounder. He has good intangibles.— ericthered1
Keith Pompey has been an Inquirer reporter since September 2004. He takes over the Sixers beat after covering the Temple men’s basketball team for the past three years and Temple football the past two seasons. Pompey also previously covered the Penn and Drexel men’s basketball team and Villanova football team after initially focusing on high school sports.
Pompey is a native Philadelphian and a University of Pittsburgh. Follow him on Twitter @PompeyOnSixers or reach Keith at kpompey@phillynews.com.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
