Ray Young is usually one of the first Bruins at practice and he
is nearly always one of the last to leave.
But despite his hard work, the fifth-year senior has failed to
live up to his potential during his career at UCLA ““ until a
week ago.
Young earned the starting job at point guard after his stellar
performance against Cal on Feb. 20. While he is unlikely to live up
to his high school McDonald’s All-American expectations, he
will continue to lead his team by example in the present.
“You never know when hard work is going to pay off,”
he said. “It’s been a roller coaster with lots of ups
and downs, and I’d like to end it on a good note.”
In two games starting at point guard ““ a home win over
then-No. 18 Cal and a loss to No. 21 Stanford ““ Young
averaged 20 points on seven-for-nine three-point shooting, and also
posted nine assists and eight rebounds over the weekend. He
dominated both ends of the court, and UCLA head coach Steve Lavin
referred to him as “the senior of the team.”
“Ray’s been playing well,” said senior Jason
Kapono, “but for some reason or another, he hasn’t been
able to find his rhythm over the last (four) years.”
The past four years have been difficult for Young, but he has
embraced the challenge of living up to his advanced billing.
“I wish it could have panned out better, but if I could do
it again I would,” he said.
As a freshman he averaged 5.4 points and 16 minutes per game. He
even shot 40 percent from the three-point line ““ a team-high
at the time. He was touted as a promising blue-chipper for a Bruin
team that was in need of back court help after losing superstar
Baron Davis to the NBA.
But things did not work out as speculated. Young’s
sophomore and junior seasons were disappointing as his numbers
barely increased at all.
His lack of production coupled with high expectations led to
UCLA crowds booing him off the court, as he made the bench a new
home.
He redshirted during the 2001-2002 season to regain some lost
confidence and to develop his game. A year later, he’s
looking past the bad moments and forward to each practice and
game.
“I wouldn’t change my situation for the
world,” he said. “It’s all actually made me a
better person and I enjoy it all.”
Young has matured and grown into a team leader, taking on
responsibilities that no other player was willing to take.
The coaching staff, as well as Young’s teammates, have
since relied on him for answers and guidance during in-game
situations.
“I’m proud of his development,” Lavin said.
“The way Ray has responded over the difficult and
discouraging times has been admirable.”
Lavin also mentioned it would have been easy for Young to
transfer or make some excuse to account for his difficulties at
UCLA. But Young was always happy and excited to be a part of the
team.
Young said without his teammates’ support he would never
have been able to become the leader he is now.
“I see Kapono and Janou (Rubin) in the gym and they keep
me going,” he said.
Young also said he would continue to get better, but his future
goals are still realistic; he doesn’t envision himself as a
NBA all-star.
But, as the team’s new leader, he will guide the
underachieving Bruins to a less dismal finish than expected.
“I’ll always remember this run,” he said.
“It will be a bright spot in my career, but I live in the
moment, I live in the present. The future will take care of
itself.”