Prospect Watch: Kyle Younge (2018)
Class of 2018 point guard Kyle Younge of Jennings is usually the smallest player on the court, but that doesn’t stop him from making the biggest impact.
The 5’9″ Younge plays with a big chip on his shoulder, which enables him to come up with big performances in big games. He is a tough-minded young man who loves to take up any challenge thrown his way.
“It all comes from my dad,” said Younge of his father, a former high school point guard. “He taught me how to be a killer. He taught me to never be afraid of the moment and never fear anybody.”
As a junior, Younge led the Warriors to a 24-5 record and a berth in the Class 4 state quarterfinals. He averaged 18.4 points. 3.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 3.3 steals while shooting 44 percent from 3-point range and 77 percent from the free throw line. He is a talented point guard who can facilitate and get buckets when he needs to.
Younge was the top player at the Pattonville Tournament at the beginning of the year when he led the Warriors to the championship after victories over Pattonville and Whitfield. At the end of the season, Younge scored a season-high 37 points against St. Charles to lead Jennings to the district championship.
“It was a great feeling to win the district title,” Younge said. “It was great to get one at Jennings because we hadn’t won one in awhile. I was proud of the whole school and I loved being part of it.”
Younge has received interest from a number of Division II schools, including Pittsburg State. He is spending the summer playing with the Gateway Basketball Club 17U team. He is hoping to lead Jennings to that next step in the state tournament, which is the Final Four. The Warriors season ended in the quarterfinals against Parkway Central.
“As soon as that last game ended, I got in the gym,” he said. “I’m motivating myself and I’m picking up my teammates because this will be my last chance to get there.”