Jacob Young’s father played on the University of Houston’s Phi Slama Jama team with Clyde Drexler and Akeem Olajuwon, who were upset at the national championship game by Jim Valvano and North Carolina State, and played with Olajewoon the following year when Patrick Ewing and Georgetown refused. Him in the 1984 title game.
Michael Young was 6-foot-6 ahead on those teams, a hometown hero from Yates High School, and on Sunday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, his alma mater would be trying to avoid and move on to the Sweet 16 for the Rutgers .
His son Jacob plays for the Rutgers.
Michael Young and his wife Tina will be at the stand.
Perhaps a bit disputed. But maybe not.
“I’m pretty sure he’s gonna wear a Rutgers shirt first, because you know?” Jacob Young said with a laugh Saturday, “I am his blood, his son.” I’m pretty sure it’s different when your son, someone you raised, is playing against your alma mater. “
Son knows best.
“He’s absolutely right,” Michael Young told the Post. “Anyhow, I’m gonna have some feelings, but I’m pulling for Rutgers.”
Jacob Young also comes out of Yates High School and played 39 games in two seasons before moving to Rutgers in Texas. His father ranks third in scoring in Houston history and one of five players in jerseys to be retired by the university.
Before Rutgers made history on Friday night by winning the men’s NCAA Tournament game for the first time in 38 years, making history by reaching the tournament after a 30-year absence, Jacob Young could not help but beat the No. 2-seed Noticed Houston is very likely that Knight could beat Clemson in his Midwest Region first round game, and he allowed himself to fulfill this impossible father-son dream.
“We should get this win so that we can play them,” he said. “I can’t wait. I am just so ready and ready. There are a lot of thoughts going through my mind, I don’t even like what I have to say. “
Under coach Steve Pikil, the Rutgers have emerged as a destination team, and they believe it could also be a team of destiny.
“Who wouldn’t want to beat like a hometown team?” Jacob Young said. “We are very connected now that we are ready to go for Sunday.”
Jacob Young is a 6-2 senior racehorse guard with the will to win. Michael Young was asked if his son’s infallible interchange reminded him.
“No, you know, I had no swag, I was a silent killer,” the father said. “He’s talking there, walking out there, pumping his arms, you know? That’s his style of playing.”
He’s fun to watch, isn’t he?
“He is,” Michael Young said. “I like to see him.”
Jacob’s teammates like to play with him.
“Jacob Thona turned into one of my favorite teammates, the way he loves basketball. Paul Mulcahy told the post, “You don’t have to worry about that. “His energy is contagious, his smile is contagious, and he really, really loves the game of basketball.”
The father was asked if his son wanted to follow him to Houston. Jacob’s older brother Joe played there from 2011-13.
“Well, he was committed to Texas long ago,” Michael Young said. “Whenever the coach [Kelvin] Sampson got a job [April 2014] … to answer your question, he never heard anything from the University of Houston. He wanted to be close to home and Texas was a fantastic school, a great opportunity not too far from home. “
The father, 60 years old, knows how magical March Madness can be … and how heart-breaking it can be.
He said, “The older I get, the more I respect it. It was a lot of fun playing with the people I used to play with.”
He went to three Final Fours.
“Also, as I get older, I understand how difficult it is to get there,” said Michael Young.
He was UH assistant coach for one season and spent five years as Houston’s strength and conditioning coach before becoming director of basketball operations and performance enhancing.
Jacob has played ball in the summer with some Houston players.
“I know one thing,” Jacob said with a laugh. “If we win, then go back home to Houston, with a big smile on your face.”
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