8 points, 9 seconds
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The 8 Points, 9 Seconds 2018 NBA Mock Draft 1.0

By Jacob Lane

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 9: UCLA guard Aaron Holiday (3) raises his arms in triumph during the semifinal game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona Wildcats on March 9, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 9: UCLA guard Aaron Holiday (3) raises his arms in triumph during the semifinal game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona Wildcats on March 9, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners
NORMAN, OK – MARCH 2: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners drives around Donovan Jackson #4 of the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half of a NCAA college basketball game at the Lloyd Noble Center on March 2, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

No.7: Orlando Magic — Trae Young, PG, Oklahoma

Trae Young is likely going to win the Naismith Player of the Year in College Basketball this season, and deservedly so. There hasn’t been a more electrifying and fun player to watch in the NCAA since possibly Stephen Curry, which many people have compared Young to.

Only one other player in the history of college basketball, has ever done what the freshman point guard out of Oklahoma has accomplished this season. Young is the first player since Dick Groat (Duke, 1951-52) to lead the country in both scoring, and assists.

Young has season averages of 27.4 points, and 8.8 assists per game, doing so on a rather efficient 19 shots per game. He’s scored 30+ points in 9 different games this season, while posting 4, 40+ point games. He’s also had 11, 10+ assist games, and  broke the NCAA record for most assists in a game with 22 (he also was the first player in 20 years to have a 25+ point, 20+ assist game).

Down the stretch of season Young faltered a bit as opposing defenses put a lot of pressure on him, and his play wasn’t great. This raised questions of how well he can make plays at the next level with bigger defenders, especially with his smaller frame. These struggles have even had scouts and draft pundits compare him to former top 10 pick, and college basketball legend Jimmer Fredette.

I think Young has the potential to be a very good starting point guard at the next level, especially when the pressure isn’t on him to be the “only guy” like it is at Oklahoma. But as far as my opinion goes, I don’t see Young being able to replicate the success Steph Curry has had at the NBA level. (that may be obvious)

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