Forward Young flips to Buckeyes
Ohio State COLUMBUS — basketball lost out to Butler the first time the Buckeyes recruited Kyle Young. Funny how things can come full circle.
Young announced Monday night that he’s flipping his commitment from Butler to Ohio State, following new Buckeyes head coach Chris Holtmann. Young posted the decision on his public Twitter account. Ohio State later confirmed it.
Young, a four-star forward in the 2017 recruiting class from Massillon Jackson, is ranked as the No. 77 prospect in the country and the No. 2 player in Ohio. The Buckeyes already signed the No. 1 player in Ohio for 2017, center Kaleb Wesson.
Young had to get a release from his national letter of intent from Butler. He did, and he’s immediately eligible for this coming season. Young has already signed a financial aid agreement with Ohio State.
Holtmann and his staff, particularly assistant coach Ryan Pedon, worked to get Young’s commitment to Butler last summer, helping the Bulldogs beat out Ohio State. The previous Buckeyes coaching staff made a late, strong push for Young.
But Young has a special bond with Holtmann and his staff.
“This has been a very difficult and emotional couple of years that have been filled with tragedy in my family,” Young wrote on Twitter. “Through these difficult times I grew very close with Coach Holtmann and Coach Pedon. My bond with them and the rest of the current Ohio State staff is one that goes far beyond the basketball court, and my family feels the same way.”
Young’s father, Mark Young Sr., suffered from multiple sclerosis and committed suicide on Oct. 26, 2015 at the age of 55.
Young becomes the third member of Ohio State’s 2017 recruiting class, joining Wesson and three-star point guard Braxton Beverly. He’ll provide the Buckeyes with much-needed depth. Ohio State was set to enter the 2017-18 season with just nine scholarship players.
“We are very excited to add Kyle to the 2017 class,” Holtmann said in a statement. “His versatility, motor and work ethic make him a great addition to our program. We really look forward to getting him to campus to join his teammates.”