Age, apparently, has nothing to do with it.
Rookie forward Sam Young played a team-high 26 minutes in his first NBA preseason game for Memphis against Washington on Tuesday.
Recommended Stories
But before the opening whistle, Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins positively bristled at the notion that Young — who at age 24, is the same age or older than all but four of the other 17 players on the Memphis preseason roster — was any more mature than an average rookie.
“What you do mean older guy?” said Hollins. “He’s 24 years old. Most rookies are 23. He’s one year older than most rookies that play four years. We don’t want to get into old and all this stuff. Sam Young is a rookie who is relentless.”
It was a roundabout way of complimenting the 6-foot-6 Clinton native and second-round draft pick (36th overall) who had 9 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists off the bench against the Wizards. He even threw in his signature pump fake with self-assuredness built on four stellar years at Pitt — he was a third team All-America as a senior, averaging 19.2 points and 6.3 rebounds — and one at Hargrave Military Academy before college.
“[My maturity] helps to the point where I know I’m going to be a little more focused, a little bit more professional,” said Young.
That means the all-around game comes first, his famous back flips a little later.
“After the two-a-days in Alabama, I don’t think have enough energy,” he said.
