Kansas basketball fans thankful for walk-ons
By Stan Unruh
Kansas basketball fans are really getting to know walk-on Clay Young. The Jayhawks are thankful for his contribution through the first 4 games.
Kansas basketball fans have much for which to be thankful this and every season. Long before popular walk-on Christian Moody, fans have had special affection for Jayhawk walk-on players. These student athletes play a critically important part of Bill Self’s team. They are responsible for learning and running the Jayhawk opponent’s offense in practice. It’s a tough job and very important. The scout team players don’t expect to play until the final minutes of blowout wins.
As a matter of fact, there are occasional exceptions over the years at Allen Fieldhouse. Clay Young is now one of those exceptions. The 6-foot-5 senior from Lansing saw 5 minutes of action in the season opening 34-point win over Tennessee State. He scored 3-points and collected a couple of assists against the Tigers. Five minutes are substantial for a walk-on. On the other hand, five minutes are nothing considering the lack of eligible players this season.
Young didn’t get into the Champions Classic victory in Chicago. The Jayhawks avoided foul trouble so Young watched and waited for a chance to play. He didn’t have long to wait in the November 17 game against South Dakota State. Coach Self called on Young for 12 important first half minutes against the Jackrabbits. Social media loves this walk-on.
I’m kind of ok with Billy Preston being on the bench tonight because it means Clay Young (favorite walk-on) gets to play. And you can bet he has a loud cheering section in my living room. pic.twitter.com/ABLFxwxy5k
— Kayla Dawn (@KaylaSchartz) November 11, 2017
"It feels good getting out there and playing some meaningful minutes." - Clay Young on his contribution tonight vs. SDSU #KUbball pic.twitter.com/lebYWooEiR
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) November 18, 2017
Next: Udoka Azubuike could lead KU to a final 4 or more
Important contributions from the senior
Young didn’t disappoint filling in after Udoka Azubuike picked up a second first half foul. Coach Self used Young for an additional 6 minutes in the second half. He looked confident guarding a much taller opponent. In 18-minutes he scored 2 points, shared the ball on 2 very nice assists and picked up steal.
The Jayhawks avoided found problems and ran away from Texas Southern on Tuesday. That limited Young’s playing time to 7-minutes of action. He scored a layup on a no-look assist from Devonte Graham late in the victory.
With less than a minute in the game, Young found a wide-open Marcus Garrett for the Jayhawks’ record 19th three-pointer of the game. Until the Billy Preston issue is resolved, the Kansas basketball team and fans are thankful for walk-on Clay Young.