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Posted by catmandoo (Member # 1284) on 03-27-2014, 12:54 PM:

I really hope he means what he says as he is not ready for the NBA. It would do him a world of good to stay and improve his game especially at the two as he is not big and strong enough to play the 3 in the NBA. He is really a "good person" and teammate just needs to get tougher, learn to play defense and to take it to the basket more. One more year at Kentucky would do him a world of good.imo The other thing he really needs to do is get rid of those ugly green shoes..

James Young’s goal has always been to play in the NBA. However, Sean Mahone, Young’s godfather, says that doesn’t necessarily mean the Kentucky freshman is ready to leave UK or even contemplating that decision yet.

“Here is the truth of the matter. I don’t think here is a junior high, middle school, high school or let along college student that has not thought about playing in the NBA. All eventually wonder what if. We all go through thinking it would be great to lace up the shoes and hear our name called in the NBA,” said Mahone, a former high school player.

“The truth of the matter is that when James went to Kentucky, he went wanting to play for an unbelievable institution that everybody would be able to say the proof is in the pudding (about his play). In that arena with that energy, you realize what it means to play big-time college basketball. Cal (John Calipari) did a great job painting the picture (about UK basketball), but there’s nothing that can totally prepare you for that environment.

“He went to Kentucky to experience all of that knowing if you have a dream or desire to play in the NBA and if your skill set is such that you can, coach Cal does a better job preparing you than anybody. So playing in the NBA has always been a potential goal and the end result when that happens will fulfill a life-long goal. But the last thing he is worrying about right now is the next level.”

Mahone said the family’s financial situation “is the last thing” Young, who is predicted a mid level first-round pick by most NBA draft projections or higher in some instances, should worry about.

“Fortunately, we are blessed and we won’t make any decision motivated by finances,” Mahone said. “If the situation makes sense whenever that is and he has to decide if he has achieved all he wants and it is his destiny to go ahead and take the next step, he’ll do it without feeling any financial pressure. He is not doing this to impress scouts. He just wants to help win a championship. We don’t talk about (the NBA) because it is not the focal point for him or the family. We don’t sit around thinking does he go now or in year two or in year three. We don’t think that way.”

Mahone says he’s always told Young to do his best daily to put himself in the best position to have options and not look back with regrets or second guessing.

“If he’s not ready (for the NBA), he’s not ready. If in year two he’s not ready, he’s not ready,” Mahone said. “He wants to achieve his dream whenever that is but that is not what drives him daily. He has a personality and disposition about himself and knows he is viewed as a person with potential and talent.

“Anybody who says these kids are not aware of the future opportunity to achieve their dream, that would be a lie. The difference is, some that’s all they focus on. Some when the time comes, they seize the moment and take advantage. For James, it’s more, ‘Let’s go play and play hard and take a look after the season at where we are.’ We know people are talking about him and what he might do in the future. But financially speaking, that is not a motivation for us as a family.”

Mahone was glad Young picked Kentucky because of the competition he faces daily that has made him improve and also gauge himself against the best.

“That program has a way of developing players and giving them a chance to achieve success,” Mahone said. “I would not be disappointed if I saw James wearing that No. 1 uniform playing for Kentucky again next year. From our standpoint, we would not consider that a disappointment. That might be the best scenario for him. In life, it is what it is. It’s all about timing and being happy and not worrying about what anybody else wants or says.”

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Posted by Green-Bean (Member # 13551) on 03-27-2014, 01:34 PM:

Say what they want to, he is gone. imo.