Young is blowing up

Jacksonville, Florida forward Patric Young is still trying to figure out where the last month of his life went.

"It went by so fast, I can't even remember what happened," Young said.

The 6-foot-8 rising junior from the Paxon School remembers one thing though. He remembers that his summer experience was pretty good.

"I blew up pretty big," Young said with a laugh.

Indeed he did. But that shouldn't come as a big surprise. He's a physical rebounder with a great frame and high motor. Young started his upswing early in the summer during the dead period, gained momentum at the Reebok All-American camp and ended the run on a high note at a pair of elite camps at two of the top programs in the country.

"I didn't know what to expect with Reebok camp when I was going in there. I knew that I wasn't going to get the ball that much because big men just don't get the ball. So every rebound that I got, I treated it as a pass to me. I had to attack the rim and got my chance to show off for the coaches.

"I knew that I was going to have to give it all that I got and just beast on people," Young said. "I had to see if I could do that. I didn't think anyone was going to be able to stay with me after all of the work that I have been doing. I felt like I was practicing really well with the Lee Bulls [his AAU team], just attacking the rim, rebounding everything I could and just trying to be a presence."

After having a number of coaches watching him in Orlando at the AAU Nationals, Young participated in Florida and Connecticut's elite camps after the busy July period.

"The Florida camp was pretty fun. I got a chance to work out with Billy Donovan and Al Horford. Joakim Noah told coach Donovan that he was impressed by me," Young said.

"Rudy Gay was there. He amazed me with his athleticism. I blocked his shot one time though. He didn't come to the hole after that. I got him with my hook shot. It went right over him; all net. How many kids in AAU can say they blocked Rudy Gay's shot?"

Young can now. He can also claim a lot of scholarship offers.

Florida, Florida State, Miami, Wake Forest, Clemson, Georgia and Jacksonville have offered, Young says, while Connecticut, Memphis, LSU, Virginia Tech, Maryland and Auburn are in the mix.

Young said he may make it out to Auburn at the end of the month as well as a potential trip to Miami. He said there are a couple of schools standing out at the moment.

"Florida stands out to me. I really like them. I like the environment there. They are always pushing me to go harder. I know that if I go there, they can push me to my best ability and get me to where I want to go," Young said.

"I am thinking I want to get to Florida pretty soon. Florida or Miami. They are pretty much saying the same thing that Florida is saying. They said they can help me reach my full potential there. I haven't had a chance to go down there. When I go there, I'll see if I really want to do that once I get a chance to play with their players."