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‘BTPowerhouse 25’ - No. 14 Kyle Young

BTPowerhouse's staff counts down the best players in the Big Ten heading into the 2021-’22 season.

By Thomas Beindit
Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch via Imagn Content Services, LLC

In the months leading up to the 2021-’22 college basketball season, BTPowerhouse will be releasing a series called the ‘BTPowerhouse 25,’ which features the Top 25 players in the Big Ten as voted by members of the staff. All players set to be on Big Ten rosters for next season were eligible during the staff vote with their top selection receiving 25 points and their 25th and final selection receiving 1 point.

Today's edition will take a brief look at Kyle Young of the Ohio State Buckeyes, who came in tied at No. 14 in the rankings. The Buckeyes are hoping to continue the program’s recent success with Chris Holtmann at the helm.

'BTPowerhouse 25' - No. 14 Kyle Young:

  • Eligibility: Redshirt Senior
  • Career Totals: 108 games, 2,586 minutes, 722 points, 274 rebounds, 213 assists
  • 2020-’21 Averages: 31.1 MPG, 9.5 PPG, 3.1 APG, 3.1 RPG, 0.2 BPG, 1.1 SPG
  • Positional Role: Power Forward

Buckeye fans weren’t expecting to see Young back in the team’s lineup this season. However, thanks to the NCAA’s decision to grant all players an extra “COVID year,” Young will get a fifth year in Columbus. He should be a starting piece for the Buckeyes and lead one of the Big Ten’s best frontcourts.

-Player Strengths

If there’s one word to associate with Young’s game it’s efficiency. While he isn’t a high usage player or a player who will take over offensively, he’s a player that does all the little things when you need them most. He can contribute on both ends of the floor, rarely makes mistakes, and converts when given the opportunity. This is how he ended up ranked in the top 10 nationally in offensive rating and as one of the league’s best two-point shooters.

Young is also a quality rebounder and one of the best players in the Big Ten at avoiding turnovers. His ability to defend bigger players is also an underrated talent, as he is one of the key pieces in allowing Ohio State to play its current offensive style. If he wasn’t able to hold up defensively, Holtmann would have to put another big on the floor, limiting their options.

-Areas for Improvement

For better or worse, Young probably doesn’t have much room to grow at this point. He’s a fifth year senior who’s played in 108 games during his career. He “is who he is” at this point in his career. That means a high floor, but probably not a high ceiling.

However, there are a few areas where Young can polish his game. In particular, he should be looking to improve his passing this season. He’s not a guard and won’t dominate possessions, but a 9.1 assist rate isn’t exceptional. It’s solid, just not otherwordly. Even a modest improvement there would help the Buckeyes grow.

-Player Projection

Ohio State enters this season ranked among the top 25 and hoping to build off last year’s success. The Buckeyes will have a legitimate shot at the Big Ten title and could do some major damage in March. This should be a quality unit and Young will be a key part of it.

Expect Young to do much of what he’s done the last few years. He will make little plays here and there, play quality defense, and remain efficient. If all goes right, he should have a shot at some All-Big Ten honors.

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'BTPowerhouse 25' Rankings:

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