Kyle Young still making winning plays for Ohio State basketball

JACKSON TWP. – Make winning plays in key situations.

If trying to sum up Ohio State senior forward Kyle Young’s role with the Buckeyes, those six words would do the job well. The former Jackson standout has battled injury, illness and the challenges the COVID pandemic has brought to the sports world over the past two years and as he reaches the final weeks of his final season in scarlet and gray, he’s found a valuable identity within a top-20 squad.

His ability to clutch up in pressure spots was on display in a Jan. 30 road game against Purdue when, with his team down three points in the closing seconds, he closely defended his man on an inbounds pass, deftly reached around behind the opposing player and stole the ball, then passed it to junior forward E.J. Liddell for a game-tying 3-pointer.

Purdue ultimately won despite Ohio State rallying from a 20-point deficit, but asked how that play shows the type of player he is, Young admits it sums his approach up well.

“That's what I've tried to be about in my time here, doing whatever I can to win games. In those really close games, you have to battle back and I live for those types of games,” Young said. “We’re all just giving it our all and that play was all about guarding my man, seeing the inbounds pass and making a play.”

Having been the leading scorer and top offensive option on a Jackson team that won the program’s second state title, Young admitted that going to the next level and finding himself in a different role wasn’t easy.

He earned playing time as a freshman, but not because he was posting 20 points a game and getting a litany of touches.

Instead, he found his place doing the little things that don’t stand out on the stat sheet, but which do get coaches’ attention because they contribute directly to winning basketball.

“It was definitely an adjustment. Early on in my career, as a freshman, I got to play a decent amount and I saw that the things that would keep me on floor were how hard I was playing, along with rebounding and defense, so I attached my identity to those things as I increased my offensive game,” Young said.

He conceded that the various injuries and other bumps in the road that have led to missing court time have been a challenging part of the process, and added that with COVID pandemic that led to the cancellation of the NCAA tournament two seasons ago and forced games in front of empty or nearly empty arenas last season was a major hurdle for he and his teammates.

However, Young said the Buckeyes’ response has been to work to find ways to stay connected. It’s those connections he finds himself valuing more and more as he nears the end of his college career.

“It's definitely bittersweet … I’ve been blessed to have an incredible time here with so many great teammates and to make a lot of good memories,” Young said. “It is sad knowing the end of my college career is close.”

The senior forward has made the most of his time on campus in Columbus, and not just on the court. He already has his undergraduate degree and is working toward his master’s degree in sports management and kinesiology.

Asked what’s next for him once college basketball ends and he finishes work on his graduate degree, Young admitted he isn’t quite sure what’s next. He could pursue professional hoops, either trying to catch on with an NBA team’s summer league squad, or playing the Association’s developmental G-League.

There’s also the option to play overseas, something he’s seen numerous former Ohio State teammates do. He could also move on to the next chapter in his life professionally by putting his degrees to use outside of playing basketball. He knows he can call on some of those teammates, such as Keyshawn Woods, Caleb Wesson or Indiana Pacers guard Dwayne Washington Jr. for advice if he needs it.

Whatever comes next, there’s no questioning the fact that he’s made his mark on a successful era in the history of the program by doing the little things in pursuit of big goals for his team.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kyle Young still making winning plays for Ohio State basketball