Young reeling in the interest

Perhaps no one proved themselves more in May than point guard Andre Young. The mighty mite prospect from Deerfield-Windsor School in Albany, Ga., piloted his team to two important tournament victories and earned the respect from the national recruiting world in the process.

Young was the foundation for the Georgia Blazers' successful run at the Nike Memorial Day Classic in Nashville last weekend at the Wallace Prather Memorial earlier in the month in Atlanta.

The three-star prospect said he is looking forward to building on the spring success come July.

"It's been a good minute since we won a tournament. We won a lot last year and now we are regaining our confidence and getting back to what we used to do. We are back up on that pedestal," Young said. "We're rolling now.

"I'd probably have to say it is the best I've played. Up to this point, I've improved on my weaknesses that I've had and improved my strengths. All of the hard work pays off."

Rivals.com National Basketball Recruiting Analyst Jerry Meyer compared Young with Oregon guard Tajuan Porter after watching the 5-foot-8 guard in action.

"To be honest, I've never heard of Porter. I know who he is now since I read (what Meyer wrote). I did some research on him. I look at some of those guys and see how they play. You can never learn too much."

Like Porter, Young is proving the doubters wrong and showing that small guards can make a splash at the next level.

"Everybody says I'm too small and that I can't go on to the Division I level," Young said. "Everyone says I'm a Division II player or a I'm a low-major guy. That's what pushes me to be the best player I can be and prove them wrong."

Young will certainly be a guy that coaches will want to see come July. Young admits his recruitment has increased since the spring began.

"Oh man, it has blown up a lot. Coaches are calling. It's pretty good right now. It's better than what it has been," Young said. "But I know the job isn't done yet. I have to keep playing well and hopefully the bigger names come in later."

Tennessee Tech, Wofford, Mercer and Colgate are his Division I offers. Young said he has noticed one school the most while the high-majors are taking a peek.

"Tennessee Tech seems like they are on me pretty hard. I get a lot of interest from them. They seem like they want me the most," Young said. "Florida State is looking. I know Wichita State is looking at me. Arkansas is supposed to be getting in touch. There are a couple of others out there."

As good as he is on the court, Young is just as focused off of it.

"Academics are very important. I know I'm not playing basketball all of my life," Young said. "I want to get to a good educational background. I want to get to get a good job. I want to go to a place that has a good coaching staff and a staff that I can relate to and a staff that I can call my family down the line."