2018 NBA Mock Draft: Enter the madness

Young likely played his final college game on Thursday as the Sooners fell to Rhode Island to open the NCAA tournament, 83-78, in overtime.

After absorbing an insane (but fair) amount of criticism for the way his play fell off during conference play after a blistering start to the year, Young returned to his efficient, early-season self against the Rams. He scored 12 of the Sooners’ final 15 points during regulation and finished with 28 total to go with seven assists.

Young understood at the end of the game that the amount of attention Rhode Island was devoting to him for the length of the court was opening up space for his teammates. Kameron McGusty and Jamuni McNeace came up late, but it was simply a matter of Rhode Island hitting more big shots than Oklahoma.

Many of Young’s problems are genuinely a result of his smaller stature — one would assume he will improve as a defender and finisher in time. But he does so many other things, and sees the game so many steps ahead of the defense, that he has still not fallen for me.

The incredible Trae Young Show is likely over in the NCAA, but it is just beginning in the NBA.