ROCHESTER, Mich. — Junior guard
Zion Young played a vital role as a first-year transfer for the Golden Grizzlies, as he averaged 7.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 30 games. He shot a team-leading 35.3 percent from 3-point range, including an improved 39.8 percent clip from deep in conference play. The Chicago native notably shot 9-of-9 from 3-point range against Detroit Mercy (1/22), which broke a school record for most 3-pointers in a game without a miss.
We sat down with Young to discuss his Chicago roots, his first year as a Golden Grizzly, and goals for the remainder of his college basketball career.
Your alma mater Simeon Career Academy has become a national staple in basketball. Where did Simeon square up against some of the perennial teams in the country during your high school career?
I think we were one of the top-tier teams in the country. Being able to match up against nationally-ranked schools along with being a part of a team considered one of the top high school teams was a true honor and blessing. In my senior year, we played against Montverde Academy, where RJ Barrett was playing. We played them in a tournament in Philadelphia, which was an overall great experience.
How did playing against top-tier teams prepare you for the next level?
Playing against those teams was a great scenario because I was not playing in my hometown. I had to go through different situations where the refs are not on your side and the fans are against you. When your back is against the wall, you learn to buckle down, lock in, and get the win.
How cool is it to see former Simeon players like Kendrick Nunn, Derrick Rose, Jabari Parker, and Talen Horton-Tucker succeed in the professional ranks?
Talen and I were teammates in high school so that one was especially significant. Seeing those guys achieve their goals is an honor to witness. It pushes the next group of guys who want to follow in their footsteps to work harder so that they can do the same. It has given me plenty of motivation to get better and be in the same situation.
In your opinion, who is the most influential basketball player in Chicago?
I would go with Derrick Rose. I would say MJ, but he is not really from Chicago. Rose is a Chicago kid from the Englewood area and a Simeon alum. For him to be drafted by the Bulls was a dream come true for any kid coming out of Chicago. In his case, you grow up watching Michael Jordan and the Bulls win rings consistently and now you can make a name for yourself at the highest possible level in your hometown.
Off the court, Derrick Rose seems to be known for his community work in Chicago. Is that something you noticed growing up?
That has always been a big thing for basketball players who make it. The neighborhoods many of us come from and the situations we deal with in our upbringing have impacted guys like Derrick Rose to give back and help those in need. Those guys have also helped the up-and-coming group of basketball players so that they can reach their full potential and become successful.
Transitioning into your college career, how much of a whirlwind was the transfer portal after spending your first two years at Western Illinois?
Spending my first two years at Western Illinois was a great opportunity to show that I am able to play college basketball and more than capable of dominating at that level. When it came to transferring over to Oakland, I was really just looking for a good opportunity. I still wanted to showcase what I could do at a good program as well. I wanted the chance to play the high-majors, the blue bloods, and a variety of talented programs, so choosing Oakland was a no-brainer for me. I built a strong relationship with
Mychal Covington, which also helped me realize that Oakland was the place for me.
From the team being shut down by Covid-19 to playing several Power-5 opponents within a month, how crazy was the start of the season?
The transition was tough because we could not jell as a team. We could not get many practices in to get to know each other's strengths and weaknesses. With Covid-19 taking so much time away from us, we could only prepare by watching film or working out on our own. However, once we were able to return, get more practice in, and spend more time together at the gym, it built our chemistry and helped us experience success in conference play.
One of the most memorable moments of the season was your 9-for-9 performance on 3-pointers against Detroit Mercy. How difficult was it to restrain yourself from a heat check with how hot you were?
In that game, I was just feeling it. I was feeling good throughout the whole day, so when it was finally game time, I was just looking for an open shot. All of my teammates were creating plays and finding me open. All I had to do was knock down the shot. It came down to me being open at the right time and taking advantage of the opportunity.
How do you plan to improve this offseason?
I have been in the gym with Will Bynum and Tae Grace from TGA Workouts. Bynum is a former professional who played with the Detroit Pistons for several years. I just get to the gym every day at 10 a.m. and work with them on about everything. From my exit meeting with coach Kampe, I have used what he said to me and tried to translate it to my game. When I come back next season, the things I have been working on all summer should be second nature.
This is a question a lot of the fans want to know. How much are you squatting these days?
Coach Terry (Sauerbry), our weight-lifting coach, kills me. He works me really hard. With him, it is leg squats or something like that every day. We were maxing out and he had me squat 355 pounds. The next day, he made me go up to 370 pounds. We were pretty much lifting every other day when I was back at Oakland.
To wrap things up, what you want to accomplish for the remainder of your college basketball career?
I would like to go to the NCAA Tournament and make it far. Collectively, I just really want to win it all. I also want to become a better person and a better leader. By being more consistent in my role, it will help me become the best I can be.
