Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Men's Basketball Signs Point Guard
04/16/2002 | 12:00:00 | Men's Basketball
April 16, 2002
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Schaumburg High School (Ill.) point guard Tony Young signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Southern Illinios University, Saluki head coach Bruce Weber announced Tuesday.
Young, a 6-1, 180-pound high school senior, averaged 18.2 ppg, 5.0 apg and 3.5 spg last season and was an all-area selection.
In the 2000-01 season, Young helped lead Schaumburg to a 26-3 record and the AA state championship. He averaged 13.8 ppg and led the team in scoring in seven games.
"He gives us stability at the point guard position for years to come," Weber said. "He has the ability to pull up and hit the outside jumper, and I have no doubt that he can get down in a defensive stance and defend the point."
Having played point guard for just one season, however, Young will need to continue to develop his ability to bring the ball up the floor and guide the offense, Weber said.
"Tony is a quality kid, who comes from winning program," Weber said. "He had a good coach, who really taught him the fundamentals, so it should make the adjustment to college basketball easier."
In addition to Young, the only true point guard on the Saluki roster for next season is Bryan Turner (6-1, 180, Jr.), who will transfer from Mineral Area Junior College. The Salukis have one scholarship remaining and hope to use it on a front-court player, Weber said.
Young said he also received interest from Marquette and Houston before settling on SIU.
