P.S. Young is also a lefty so Vermont will continue to have the most lefty heavy team ever.
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Jayhlon Young commits to Vermont
Vermont begins their portal season with a commitment from 6-2 guard Jayhlon Young from Dallas, TX. Young has gone from Grambling State (Redshirt) to Baton Rouge Community College to UCF to Memphis and is ready to spend his final year in Catamount country. His calling card is his strong defensive ability and is going to be a great fit for Vermont. Young had a very strong career at Baton Rouge CC, starting all 25 games his sophomore year and averaging 15.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. After that season he transferred to UCF and had a good season for the Knights, first as their starting point guard, and then as the backup. Young then played last season at Memphis in a similar role. His on and off ball defense have drawn praise throughout his career (the analytics agree with the eye test) and he plays with a high motor and relentless energy. Offensively he is a solid shooter who likes to get out in transition and has shown good playmaking ability from the point guard position. He will be looking to get that offensive efficiency bump that the Vermont program has been so good at fostering. A lineup featuring Shamir Bogues, Ileri Ayo-Faleye, and Young will be a nightmare for opponents. Young and Bogues will give Vermont the ability to harass opposing guards for a full 40 minutes night in and night out. Last season really demonstrated the importance of having strong depth with Bogues, TJ Hurley, and Matt Veretto all missing chunks of time. Adding Young to an already strong group of guards will once again give the Cats the versatility that was crucial to their success this season. Another tremendous job by the coaching staff finding an under the radar player that fits their style and system so well. I expect Young to make a big impact and bring energy and excitement to Patrick next season.
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What depth! Throw in Sammy on that defensive unit and we will be tough to score on. What does that leave us? 2 more spots? Gotta assume with Joba coming back, they must have assured him of some rotational minutes? Does that take out a big man transfer? Also, Barnett back. How has he looked in practice?
ReplyDeleteTwo more spots. Listening to Becker talk this week in a interview he doesn't promise playing time to anyone. Joba is coming back knowing he has a chance to earn time. THe coaching staff will definitely be looking to bring in a post player through the portal. I only saw the one open scrimmage in June but I Barnett has surprised the coaching staff (in a good way) and he definitely has a big personality and sounds like he is a fun and positive teammate. I think his impact will be more long term but has a chance to develop into a good player.
DeleteCould be interesting. I've never seen a Vermont team suited to press full court, but this roster might offer the coach the option to do that on occasion. I'm a little wary of a player who has moved around so much. But I will hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteYoung has earned rave reviews at each of his stops. Hard worker, wants to win.
DeleteDoes Ileri have 1 or 2 years left of eligibility?
ReplyDeleteOne. Verbal commits has it wrong.
DeleteIs the play to go after a stretch big like they have or to have someone big enough to make tourney games more competitive? I guess both could be true. Any targets they’ve identified?
ReplyDeleteBigs are hard to come by in the portal, especially now. They will take any size they can get.
DeleteThey didn't win, but the Duke game was very competitive. They'll get the best talent available.
ReplyDeleteAgree to both!
DeleteRe H.S. recruits: Drew Bessette from Rice committed to the Cats, correct? Any thoughts on his future?
ReplyDeleteYes. He is going to be on the Shungu/Fiorillo plan of earning scholarship after walking on. Good size, mobile, well rounded. WIll need time to adjust as all Vermont kids do. I think he will make an impact at some point in his career.
DeleteAre Cats in on the Lehigh Center 6’9 that entered the portal?
ReplyDeleteHard to know the level of interest. They are listed as "reached out" to him. It is nearly impossible to gauge the level of interest unless there is an actual visit scheduled. he would certainly be a great fit but he will have a long list of options.
DeleteI often hear that it is difficult to get bigs but other America East teams do it. Is it that UVM is more particular or that UVM isn't as desirable for some reason. You'd think that with their success that they would be desirable
ReplyDeleteI think both are true. Vermont is looking for a specific type of player (winning first, high academic, etc.) and one that can handle the defensive responsibilities in their system (which are many and difficult). I am specifically focusing on the portal era with the hard to get comment. Pre-portal it was a bit easier. Other AE teams are in the same boat when trying to find true post scorers and are often looking at trying to get by with a stretch big or undersized player getting the bulk of the minutes. Impactful and/or experienced low post scorers draw a ton of interest in the portal and often opt for a backup role at a higher level (not to mention looking for a program with NIL money to offer). This year is particularly difficult for Vermont because there are no guaranteed minutes with the Cats returning so much of their core. Kind of a needle in a haystack mission for this particular role.
DeleteAny Big Man transfer will have to compete with returning starters Nick F, Ileri, Sammy, an improved Jobaand maybe Barnett. That being said they have as good of a shot at winning a conference title as anyone. This transfer could put them over the top. I’d imagine Coach Becker also will have a few good trips planned for out of conference games?
ReplyDeleteThe team they are returning is very strong. Honestly any addition would be a bonus. I think it will be a good schedule for sure.
DeleteI would certainly love any serious talent that can come the Cats' way but I certainly won't complain about the roster we have returning. I have a feeling we will see the continued emergence of Ileri. Given another off-season with a motivated cast of players like Alamutu, Joba, and Barnett and adding in a healthy Fiorillo out of the gate and UVM will be a force. And, this doesn't even begin to take into account the 1s and 2s UVM can rotate into the game! Right now UVM looks great on paper.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. They have a great team coming back. Any more additions would be icing on the cake!
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