Showing posts with label Trae Young. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trae Young. Show all posts

2020-06-29

Trae Young to join Rich Paul's Klutch Sports Group

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Trae Young announced last week he will switch agencies.

He will leave Octagon Sports to join Klutch Sports Group after his agent Omar Wilkes was named head of basketball operations of the Los Angeles-based agency.

Young, 21, will enter his third season of 3-year, $18.2M rookie contract next season with Atlanta Hawks after being drafted fifth overall by Dallas Mavericks in 2018 National Basketball Association Draft.

Mark Brown / Getty Images
Wilkes’ decision to head basketball ops  founded by agent Rich Paul comes after Paul's decision to expand his agency's  football operations.


In October, the Hawks decided to exercise their third-year option on Young, including options on John Collins, Kevin Huerter.

They have the opportunity to a fourth-year option on Young in 2021-22 season valued at $8.3M, per Spotrac figures.

Klutch has negotiated over $1B in NBA contracts since it’s inception in September 2012.

Do you have a tip, suggestion, complaint or see an error? E-mail me at gilbert.sam @ www.soonersblog.com. 

2020-06-25

Trae Young leaves Octagon Sports agency

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Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young informed Octagon Sports he will leave the agency effectively immediately, according to Yahoo! Sports Chris Haynes.

The came departure after his agent Omar Wilkes accepted a position at Klutch to run the agency's basketball operations.

Young, an NBA All-star, informed Octagon of his decision on Thursday, and will reportedly begin the process of interviewing agents and will weigh ‘all his options.’

Chris Schwegler/Getty Images
The 21-year-old is entering the final year of 3-year, $18.2M rookie contract next season,  the team exercised their 2020-21 player option in October, they will have an opportunity, again, in 2021-22.

RELATED: Trae Young pledges millions toward Norman sports complex

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday, it's believed Young will likely join Wilkes.

The Los Angeles-based Klutch founded by Rich Paul, part of United Talent Agency, represents $814M in contracts in the NBA, including Lebron James, Anthony Davis, and Ben Simmons.

Correction: The previous version incorrectly stated the team had an opportunity to exercise their player option next season.


2020-06-23

Buddy Hield had one of best seasons in 'one-and-done era'

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Basketball U.

A trio of NBA stars with Oklahoma ties were named in the top-15 of ESPN's ‘top 50 individual seasons of the one-and-done era.’

The era includes the likes of Naismith Player of the Year award winners Kevin Durant (Texas, 2007), Anthony Davis (Kentucky, 2012), and JJ Reddick (Duke, 2006).

Associated Press
NBA Insider John Gasaway ranks Buddy Hield’s (2015-16) season the seventh-best in the era known as ‘one-and-done'. Hield would earn Player of the Year honors on the way to the Final Four, shooting over 50 percent beyond the arc, averaging 25.0 points.

Per OUinsider:

"You don’t often see a star shoot percentages close to 90, 50 and 50 on free throws, 2s and 3s, respectively, at hero-ball levels of usage. If that doesn’t convince you, factor in that the guy got a standing ovation on the road at Kansas, for goodness sake. It was off the charts.”

A season removed after being,amed McDonald’s All-American while at Norman North (Norman, Okla.), Trae Young recorded 27.4 points, shooting 35 percent from the field, Young's only season (2017-18) was ranked ninth.

Per OUinsider:

“While the freshman was a prize recruit, he was not top-10 material nor was he especially imposing as a physical specimen. Even so, Kruger saw something and he was exactly correct. Never mind the 25 missed shots in one game, Young was an assist factory who generated made free throws at will.”

Blake Griffin's Naismith award-winning season in 2008-09 ranked 11th, the first overall pick in the 2009 National Basketball Association Draft averaged 65% shooting, 14.4 percentage and 22.7 points.

Per OUinsider:

“Griffin recorded one of the most concentrated outbursts of domination the Big 12 has ever seen when he posted a 40-23 double-double (on 16-of-22 shooting) against Texas Tech in a mere 31 minutes.”

Zion Williams' single-season in 2019 at Duke was the top-ranked season.

2020-06-14

Baker Mayfield joins Adrian Peterson in plans to kneel

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“Yeah, without a doubt, without a doubt.”

Adrian Peterson vows he and fellow National Football League players, including Baker Mayfield will kneel during National Anthem.

A chorus of players plan to kneel in solidarity when the season kicks off in September after George Floyd, 58 years-old died in police custody.

Floyd's death sparked a national outcry following the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery.

John McDonnell/The Washington Post
“Just four years ago, you’re seeing Kaepernick taking a knee, and now we’re all getting ready to take a knee together going into this season, without a doubt,” the 35-year-old veteran running back Peterson said, via Houston Chronicle.

Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield said he would join his Cleveland teammates in kneeling after a follower asked him on Instagram not to join teammates and others across the league.

“Pull your head out. I absolutely am, ” Mayfield responded.

“Everybody so upset about my comment doesn’t understand the reasoning behind kneeling in the first place,” Mayfield later wrote, further explaining his decision, per FOX News.

”Nate and Kap came to an agreement that kneeling was the most respectful way to support our military while also standing up for equality.”

Mayfield, Peterson, and other athletes, including Trae Young are aware they will alienate a portion of their fan base – the keep politics out of sports crowd.

 “I definitely lost a couple of followers for speaking my voice and speaking my opinion,” Young said in a conference call,  per The Oklahoman. “That’s OK. That’s necessary.”

Young, 21, recognizes the impact he has through sports, pledging $4M toward a Norman Sports Complex, and speaking out about Julius Jones’ case.

“For me being a basketball player and the way I’m looked at, I know I have a lot of privileges. I’m looked at a certain way and I know I have a platform," Young said, via The Oklahoman.

"Being a Black athlete is definitely something I’m aware of and I know it’s something I need to speak on it. I know I’m not just a basketball player. I’m a role model."

2020-06-13

Trae Young pledges millions toward Norman sports complex

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Trae Young commits millions to hometown.

Young, 21, has pledged $4M to a sports complex project that is reportedly $37M over budget. The project, in-part, is part of Norman Forward passed by residents in 2015, which includes an indoor basketball facility and an aquatic center.

City council members approved the combination of the projects, ballooning the cost over $58M after rising design and construction cost, according to Norman Transcript.

Mark Brown / Getty Images
Young, an NBA All Star, cut his teeth at Cleveland Country area YMCA.

“We had a little goal in our front yard he would shoot on, but we lived at the YMCA,” Rayford Young, Trae's father, told The Oklahoman.

“Early morning workouts when he's swimming and we're lifting weights and just in the gym — I can't even tell you how big that was. Playing against the older, grown men at the Y, all that stuff was just really cool and I think it's helped him get to where he is now.”

Young has continued to use his rising platform to speak out about social issues, and giving back to the community, including canceling millions in medical debt for Atlanta-area residents.

Last week, Young spoke out at a rally in Norman, Okla. after the death of George Floyd, he also, joined Russell Westbrook and Blake in asking to Governor and Pardon & Parole to review Julius Jones’ death penalty case.

City council members will approve the Young family donation on June 23.

2020-06-05

Young, Griffin asks Governor, Board to review Julius Jones case

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A pair of former Sooners asked members of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, Governor Kevin Stitt to commute the sentence of thirty-nine-year-old Julius Jones.

In a letters published by NonDoc Media, Trae Young and Blake Griffin asked Stitt, members of the board to review Jones' case.

“I am writing in support of Julius Jones’ application for a commutation. I hope you will determine in reviewing Julius’s case and subsequent trial that he is innocent and should be released from prison, ” Griffin wrote in a letter published on NonDoc.com on Wednesday.

Sue Ogrocki / Associated Press
Jurors convicted Jones, a then 18-year-old, of the murder of Paul Howell, a white businessman in Edmond, Okla., 21 years ago, Jones currently sits on Oklahoma's death row.

A commutation is described as a tool to ‘correct an unjust or excessive sentence,’ that can be recommended by the board, and only under the authority of the Governor of Oklahoma that can one be issued to reduce a sentence.

Young, 21, echoed his responsibility as an athlete to bring attention to Jones' case.

“I and so many other people have been called to raise concerns regarding Julius Jones’ case because of the many obvious ways in which the legal system failed him. Julius’ co-defendant, who testified against him, changed his story no fewer than six times when interviewed by the police, ” Young wrote.

Jones and co-defendant Christopher Jordan were convicted, however, Young, Griffin, and Russell Westbrook of the Houston Rockets urged all parties to consider commutation.

“To hear that a juror allegedly used the N-word when referring to Julius during trial, yet remained on the jury, is deeply disturbing to me, “ Westbrook, National Basketball Association M.V.P. in 2016-17 while playing for Oklahoma City Thunder, wrote in a letter dated April 27.

Howell's daughter, who didn’t want to be identified, talked of the importance of racial inequality and gun violence in communities.

“Personally, coming from someone who has been a victim of gun violence and witnessed the murder of my father that happened to be by an African American man, this extremely traumatic experience for me has NEVER skewed my views against people of color,” Howell’s daughter wrote on social media, via KOCO-TV, who was nine-year-old at the time of his murder.

“While I do not agree with the individuals attempting and advocating for my father’s murderer’s release. I do believe the innocent people of color and innocent minorities out there deserve a chance. A chance at life. A chance at opportunity.”

Griffin, 31, argued as ‘proud son of Oklahoma, ’  the jurors weren’t allowed to hear testimony during trial deliberations.

‘The jury also did not see a photo that would have shown that Julius did not fit the eyewitness’ description, however, the co-defendant did. Two of the key witnesses, who were implicated in the crime and did no time for the murder of car robbery, were given deals on other charges in exchange for their testimony against Julius,” Griffin added.

Young suggested the five-member board to look beyond their roles, “When I am not sure what to do, I seek guidance from God.”

To find more about this case visit: Justiceforjuliusjones.com

Correction: The article incorrectly stated Howell's daughter told KOCO-TV; when her statement was posted on social media.





2020-06-02

Former Sooners respond to the death of George Floyd

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“Save the bullshit, ” Kenny Stills' response via Twitter to Roger Goodell's statement following protest across America after the death of George Floyd.

Floyd, an unarmed 59-year-old African-American, died while in police custody after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on the back his neck.

Goodell, the Commissioner of the National Football League, offered sentiment recognizing the impact of the league, that is largely minority, on society.

Ron Jenkins/Associated Press
“The protesters’ reactions to these incidents reflect the pain, anger and frustration that so many of us feel, ” Goodell issued in a  statement on the league’s official Twitter account on Saturday.

"As current events dramatically underscore, there remains much more to do as a country and as a league. These tragedies inform the NFL's commitment and our ongoing efforts," Gooddell added.

"There remains an urgent need for action. We recognize the power of our platform in communities and as part of the fabric of American society."

Stills known for being outspoken regarding social inequality isn’t alone as Kyler Murray, the top overall NFL draft pick in 2019, retweeted former President Barack Obama’s tweet.

On Tuesday, Murray called for accountability via Twitter.



Stills, Murray aren't alone as Adrian Peterson, who played ten seasons in Minneapolis, called for accountability of officers, too.

“There’s no way that I personally could sit there and watch another human being be murdered by hands of those who swore to protect us, ” Peterson tweeted on Wednesday.



On Monday, Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young joined protestors at Andrews Park in Norman.

“I know this country’s in a messed up place right now,” Young told the peaceful demonstrators, via KOCO. “And for me, I just think it’s important that we all stick together and we stand up for what’s right."



2020-05-09

Columnist: Trae Young would energize Knicks franchise

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Could Trae Young be the next star in the Big Apple?

Young is widely regarded as a rising star in the National Basketball Association, earning a starting role in the 2020 All-Star game for the Eastern Conference in his second season.

Mark Brown / Getty Images
Stefan Bondy, a NY Daily News sports columnist, suggests the fledgling New York Knicks franchise should consider pursuing Young to energize Madison Square Garden.

Bondy writes ...
It’s not difficult to imagine Young’s logo shots and electrifying dribbling displays setting MSG aflame. New York City hasn’t produced any basketball championships in over 45 years but its stars always get extra attention (good and bad).

Young, 21, has a season remaining in his 3-yr, $18.2M rookie contract with Atlanta Hawks, per Spotrac figures.

The guard has been fond of the New York market, "If I'm able to get drafted by the New York Knicks, it would be a blessing," Young said on ESPN's First Take ahead of 2018 draft, via NYDailyNews.com.

Young will become a restricted free-agent in 2021.


2020-04-12

Chauncey Billups upsets Trae Young in H.O.R.S.E. Challenge

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Chauncey Billups pulls an upset.

Billups defeated from Oklahoma standout Trae Young, a favorite to win NBA H.O.R.S.E. Challenge.

Young, 21, playing from his Norman, Okla. home, took an early commanding lead putting three letters on Billups, the 2004 NBA Finals MVP, in the first-round of the televised competition on Sunday.

Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
However, Billups, a retired 17-season league veteran, countered with five buckets giving him a first-round victory over Young in the tournament.



The semifinals and final of the tournament will air Thursday, April 17, at 9 p.m. on ESPN.




2020-04-09

Trae Young To Compete Against Chauncey Billups In H.O.R.S.E. Competition

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Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young will be among NBA, WNBA participants in an eight-player H.O.R.S.E. competition, a made-for-television event, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported on Wednesday.

Young will face Chauncey Billups, former Detroit Pistons forward, in the first round of the NBA HORSE Challenge, the league announced on Thursday. Young, Billups will be joined by Oklahoma City guard Chris Paul, among others.

Chris Schwegler/Getty Images
ESPN will televise the opening round on Sunday (6 PM/CT), which will have players isolated in remote locations, with the semifinals and finals of the competition on April 16th.

Young, 21, became the fastest player in association history to reach 350 three-pointers, reaching the mark in 140 games besting Portland Trailblazer guard Damon Lillard's 142 game record.

State Farm Insurance Co. will donate over $200,000 to relief efforts on behalf of the players to fight COVID-19.



2020-04-07

Trae Young Continues Social Distancing With Practice Against Normi

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Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire
As the world continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, officials continue to urge communities to practice social distancing.

Arenas across the country remain dark, NBA players remain unable to enter team facilities. Trae Young has continued to build his social media presence during the absence of team basketball.

Young, outside his Norman home, shows the Atlanta Hawks guard crossing up his miniature defender Normi in his latest post via Instagram. The French bulldog played exceptionally well defense against the Eastern Conference All-Star, however, Young was able to still reach the basket.



View this post on Instagram

The Best Defender I’ve ever been up against...🤣🏀🐶 @normi_lanta 1st Team!!!! #QuarantineHoops
A post shared by Trae Young (@traeyoung) on

Follow the former Oklahoma standout on his social media channels at https://instagram.com/traeyoung and @TheTraeYoung.

2020-03-10

Trae Young Sets Milestone For Three-Pointers

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Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young set another league milestone in 143-138 double OT win over Charlotte Hornets on Monday.

Young, 21, became the fastest player to reach 350 3-points in association history, after making six in his 140th career game.

Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Young shot 11-of-25, including 6-of-13 beyond the arc recording 31 points and 16 assists against the Hornets. It was his 27th double-double this season.

Portland guard Damian Lillard previously held the record at 142 games.

Atlanta Hawks (20-46) host New York Knicks (20-44) Wednesday.




2020-02-27

WATCH: Trae Young Blocks 7-Footer Mo Bamaba

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Jason Miller/Getty Image
6’1” Trae Young blocked 7’0” Orlando center Mo Bamba (University of Texas product) from behind in Wednesday's 130-120 loss vs Orlando Magic.



Young put up 37 (10-27 FG, 4-12 3PT, 14-16 FT) after being doubtful, in initial injury report, suffering from flu-like symptoms.

Young ranks third (30.1) in scoring, second (9.2) in assist, per game, in the association.

2020-02-25

Trae Young: Kobe Bryant Was My Michael Jordan

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Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire

On Monday at Staples Center, the sports world, Los Angeles remembered the late Kobe Bryant, 13-year-old daughter Gianna and the seven other souls lost in January helicopter crash.

Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young remembered Bryant, who he akin to Michael Jordan, on Twitter ahead of Monday’s game against Philadelphia 76ers.


Playing at a level reminiscent of Bryant, Young has been rewriting the record books. The Norman North (Norman, Okla.) product hit a career milestone on Friday eclipsing the 50 point mark for the first time, prior to that, starting in the All-Star game.

Young, 21, in his second season, has either passed or joined the likes of Shaquille O’Neal, Lebron James, Michael Jordan, including Bryant, in multiple achievements, milestones -- playing at a “Mamba Mentality” level.

It would only be appropriate Gianna’s favorite player was Young – like Kobe, Young has an all-out mentality averaging 29.9 points, the league's third-leading scorer.



After winning three of the last four games, Young scored 28 points in 129-112 loss to 76ers.

Hawks (17-42) host Orlando Magic (25-32)  Tuesday.

2020-02-21

Trae Young Scores Career-High 50 Points

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Mark Brown / Getty Images
Hawks guard Trae Young achieved another career milestone in last night’s 129-124 win over Miami Heat.

Young, 21, scored a career-high 50 points becoming the fourth-youngest player in NBA history to reach 50. His previous career-high was 48 points against Oklahoma State in January 2018.



Young shot well-above his season average of 37.4% from long-range, going 8-of-15 or 53.3% against the Heat. He was nearly perfect from the free-throw line going 18-of-19.

Asked if starting in All-Star game strengthened his play, “I've always had confidence in myself, ” Young replied, via USA Today.

Young’s performance against Miami moved him into second in scoring (30.1 pts) and assist (9.2 ast) in the league. And in the process, he surpassed Shaquille O'Neal for most 40-pt games (11) in player's first two seasons since 1976 league merger.

His one-man wrecking crew mentality this season hasn’t impressed one Skip Bayless, though.



Atlanta Hawks (16-41) host Dallas Mavericks (33-22) Saturday.




2020-02-15

President Obama Surprises Young, Others At NBA Charity Event

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Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Trae Young meets 44.

Former President Barack Obama surprised NBA players, including Trae Young and volunteers who were stuffing backpacks full of supplies for Chicago-area youth at WinTrust Arena on Friday.

Obama spoke privately to Young and New Orleans’ Zion Williamson at the NBA Cares charity event.  The 44th president is among those whose followed the former Oklahoma standout's meteoric rise to whose stardom.

“He just loves watching me,” Young said, via Chicago Tribune. “He watches me all the time and was telling me how it’s going to turn for the Hawks in the future, and it’s crazy that he knew all these different things about me.”



Young, 21, is averaging 29.7 points, third-best in the association, which earned the second-year guard an Eastern Conference starting role in the NBA All-Star game Sunday.

Young, fellow Sooner, Buddy Hield will participate in tonight's 3-point contest 8 pm/ct on TNT.

2020-02-11

Trae Young, Again, Joins Elite Company

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Chris Schwegler/Getty Images
Former Oklahoma standout Trae Young joined elite company in Atlanta’s loss to Memphis on Monday.

Young became the sixth player in NBA History to have 3,000+ points and 1,000+ assists within their first two seasons.


He joins Oscar Robertson, Isiah Thomas, Tim Hardaway, Allen Iverson and LeBron James to accomplish the feat.

Atlanta Hawks travels to play Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday before the annual All-Star break.

2020-02-10

Trae Young Snubbed From Team USA Roster

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Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Former Oklahoma standout Trae Young was ‘hurt' after being notably absent from USA Basketball's preliminary 2020 Tokyo Olympics roster, announced Monday.

The likes of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul were among the names on the initial roster.

“I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hurt by seeing it, ” Young said Monday, via Sarah K. Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"Obviously I would have wanted to play on the team."

Young is league's fourth-leading scorer averaging 29.7 points.

Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce said he wasn't shocked when hearing the news, saying “international basketball is different.”

“No, because honestly I respect the league, I respect the levels and layers you have to go through. Trae’s having a great year. These guys have had great careers, ” Pierce said, USA Basketball assistant, via Spencer.

“And you have to go through certain things and you have to understand when it’s your time, when it’s your opportunity. He’s a first-time All-Star. We’re talking about guys, three-time Olympic appearances, and international basketball is different. It’s different. You don’t just go because you’re good. You go because you’ve earned the right, the honor. You have the right mindset.”

Young took to social media to congratulate the players named to the 44-man roster.


USA Basketball will trim the roster to  12 members when Team USA competes in the Summer Olympics.




2020-02-06

Young, Hield Tabbed To Compete In 3-Point Contest

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DAVID BANKS / ASSOCIATED PRESS
A pair of former Oklahoma sharpshooters will compete in the three-point contest.

Trae Young, Buddy Hield was named to the annual Saturday night competition part of the NBA All-Star Weekend, the league announced on Tuesday evening.

Young will be making his first appearance in the contest. He was previously named a starter for Eastern Conference in the All-Star game and he is scheduled to play in the league's Rising Stars game – making him the only player tabbed to compete in all three nights of All-Star weekend.

Young, in his second year, is shooting 36.7% making 156 of 425 from beyond the arch.

RELATED: WATCH: Trae Young Gets Emotional After Being Named All-Star Starter

Hield, the fourth-year league veteran, is making his second appearance in the competition after finishing third in last year's contest. He is shooting 37.6% from the 3-pt line, making 186 of 495.

Hield, Young will be joined by six other players including defending contest champion Brooklyn G Joe Harris.

The annual three-point contest will take place Saturday, February 15, at the United Center in Chicago.

2020-01-24

Trae Young Returns To OKC As All-Star Starter

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Brett Davis
Trae Young returns home as an All-Star starter when Oklahoma City Thunder (26-19) hosts Atlanta Hawks (11-34) tonight at 7 pm.

“To hear the news and be in Oklahoma, it’s special, ” Young said in Friday's shootaround, via Atlanta Hawks.

Young, Hawks SG, is coming the heels of Thursday's announcement of being named an All-Star starter for Eastern Conference.

“I was super excited,” Young told reporters, via The Oklahoman, this morning ahead of tonight’s contest.

 “Just started tearing up, and emotions were just flowing. It felt a lot like all the hard work and all that I put into the summer and the offseason just paid off. Obviously, I want to continue to get better and win some more games with this team, but me being an All-Star has definitely been a dream of mine.”

Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce spoke about Young receiving the news in Oklahoma.

“It’s one of those stories where it’s perfect timing, perfect situation, perfect opportunity,” Pierce told reporters Friday, via Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

He is the third-leading scorer in the league (29.2 PPG), fourth in assist (8.6) in his second year.

NBA's annual All-Star game is February 16 in Chicago.