Just two days after Mo Bamba declared for the NBA Draft, Texas lost another piece of its 2017-18 rotation. Sophomore shooting guard Jacob Young has announced on Twitter that he is transferring from the program.
“Thanks to the coaches, teammates, and staff. After my past two years of experiences at UT, I am transferring. I wish Coach Smart and his program all the best. Jacob Young,” he tweeted Thursday afternoon.
Young, primarily a three-point specialist, averaged 6.2 points per game in his sophomore year while shooting 32.3 percent beyond the arc. Although Young endured limited minutes at the beginning of the season, the loss of several backcourt members including Andrew Jones and Eric Davis Jr. spiked the Houston native’s minutes. During the final six contests of the year, Young averaged 13.3 points per game in increased playing time.
The shooting guard more than doubled his career-high during a 29-point scoring barrage on Texas Tech during the second round of the Big 12 Tournament. In the 4-point loss, he drained a personal-best six threes and kept a shorthanded Texas team competitive with the Red Raiders. Young’s 29 from that night mark the best scoring output for a Longhorn since Isaiah Taylor tallied 35 on Jan. 2, 2016.
Young played 40 minutes in Texas’ 87-83 overtime loss to Nevada in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament this year. The heartbreaking defeat in Nashville was Young’s final game as a Longhorn.
“I appreciate all of the effort that Jacob has given to our University over the past two seasons,” head coach Shaka Smart said in a statement. “Jacob has been a valuable contributor to our program, and we wish him and his family the very best moving forward.”
Recruited out of Yates High School, Young received offers from Texas, Baylor and Duquesne. His older brother Joe Young — a point guard for the Indiana Pacers — also transferred (to Oregon) after two seasons at his original, in-state program (Houston).
Young’s current destination remains unknown at this time.