MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Anyone that watched Sharron Young play during any of his four years on the biggest stages in West Virginia high school hoops should not be surprised that the Morgantown High School graduate has not only earned major minutes at the Division I level, but is one of the standout freshmen in the Mid-American Conference.
West Virginia’s 2024 Bill Evans Award winner as the state’s top player has settled into the rotation at the University of Akron.
Young led Morgantown to three Class AAAA state championships and one runner-up finish in his four seasons with the Mohigans. At Akron, Young is on a roster with several upperclassmen, including starting point guard Tavari Johnson. Through 15 games, Young has played in each contest. He is fourth on the team in scoring at 9.3 points per game while averaging 16 minutes off the bench. Young has scored in double-digits eight times, including all three conference games.
“We’ve got a pretty good point guard ahead of me in Tavari Johnson and some other guys that are pretty good. They told me what my role was going to be and I just try to do my best at it,” Young said.
“I need to continue to get my teammates open looks and create by getting to the basket.”
In his season debut with the Zips, Young dropped in 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor against Arkansas State.
“My coaches and teammates helped me build up to that moment. Once I got going, I settled in a little bit and just went from there.”
Coming off the bench allows Young an opportunity to get a feel for the opponent in game situations before taking the court.
“It kind of helps me a little bit because my coaches and teammates are telling me to read the coverages they are doing and how the speed of the game is going. Go out there, be relaxed and have fun.”
As a 6-foot guard, Young knew he needed to improve his accuracy from three-point range and he has excelled from beyond the arc. Young is seventh in the MAC in three-point shooting percentage (43%) and is second among freshmen in that category, trailing Miami’s Luke Skaljac (51%). Young has played 212 minutes while Skaljac has played 168.
“Coming into college, that was a big focus, trying to get the range a little bit off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot. Going back to Nate Smith and with my grandpa, I just kind of extended over here with the GA’s and with the managers. They helped me with that. That’s been a big focus because I am not very big. So I feel like that has to be a part of my game at this next level.”
Young stands third on the Akron roster in steals (18). He is fourth in the MAC in steal percentage (per CBB Analytics) and is the top freshman in the league in that metric. Additionally, Young is sixth in the MAC in points per possession as the pick and roll ball handler (per Synergy).
Akron (10-5) is the second-highest scoring team in the MAC (82.1) and the Zips are in a four-way tie atop the league standings with a 3-0 record.
“I think our coaches just let us play. We’ve got a lot of great players on our team. They just let us play and enjoy the game. If they see something, they’ll call a play or it will be free-flowing.”
After a non-conference schedule with a combination of quick turnarounds and lengthy breaks in the game schedule, Young and the Zips are now settling into the routine of league play.
“We’ve got two games a week and the preparation for them is a lot different. Strength and conditioning-wise and with the film and recovery, it helps us out a lot.”
Young is joined on the Akron roster by a trio of former WVU Mountaineers. Josiah Harris, James Okonkwo and Seth Wilson are all in their first seasons with the Zips.
“Hanging out with my teammates off the court, a bunch of us have a great connection on and off the court. It is good to be able to hang out with my teammates and do things outside of basketball.”
Young was able to return to Morgantown for a few days during the Christmas break and he was able to stop by a practice at his alma mater.
“Me and Coach [Dave] Tallman stay in contact pretty much every day and I am talking to my teammates and friends every other day.”
Young is one of the select few West Virginia natives to earn a scholarship at the Division I level and he is embracing the opportunity to compete in the highest tier of college basketball.
“I just have to give all glory to God for allowing me to be in this position that I am in. Without him, I wouldn’t be in this position. It has been a great feeling because ever since I was a little kid, this was always the dream to be in this position and at this level. I just have to keep having fun and keep enjoying the moment.”