2006 Young Has List of Five

Memphis, Tenn., has produced some quality players over the years. Thaddeus Young, the No. 7 ranked player in the class of 2006, has a chance to be the best to ever come out of the Bluff City. Right now the 6-foot-8, 200-pound small forward from Mitchell High School has a list of five schools.

"Thaddeus has pretty much narrowed his list down to Memphis, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana,” said Mitchell assistant coach Harold Rivera. “As far as I know, they have all offered."

Coach Rivera noted that a slew of college coaches have been in town to scout some of the top players in Memphis.

"We’ve had open gym here at the school the last couple days for Thaddeus and other high profile Memphis kids, including Pierre Niles, Anthony Mason Jr, and Mo [Maurice] Miller,” said Coach Rivera. “North Carolina and Georgetown were in here Monday. Saturday, Kansas, Memphis, Georgetown, and Tennessee were all in here to see them workout."

Coach Rivera had these comments about Young as a player:

"I think Thaddeus will do well wherever he goes,” said Coach Rivera. “In my opinion, I think when it is all said and done, he will be the best player to ever come out of the city of Memphis. He is better than Anfernee Hardaway was at this stage of his career. He's a special young man. Thaddeus is a very hard worker and seems to get better every day. If you tell him to do something, he listens and makes the adjustments. His greatest strengths are his work ethic and versatility. Thaddeus can get it done from the perimeter or in the paint."

Coach Rivera then spoke about the areas of the game where Young needs to improve.

"Although he has added 10 to 15 pounds, Thaddeus needs to continue to get stronger. He also needs to work on putting the ball on the floor with his right hand and also getting his teammates involved more. He is so competitive that he tends to try to do to much on his own. One thing you can guarantee is Thaddeus is aware of his weaknesses and will work hard to correct them."

As a freshman, Young averaged 16 points per game, and as a sophomore, he averaged 24 points and 15 rebounds per game.