Trae Young: Former Sooner star sputters in NBA Summer League debut

Former Oklahoma star Trae Young began his NBA career much like he ended his college career: struggling with his shooting rhythm and scoring consistency.

Young’s debut with the Atlanta Hawks in the opening game of the NBA Summer League on Monday was far less spectacular than all the hype surrounding his No. 5 overall selection in the NBA Draft and subsequent trade to the Hawks.

The consensus All-American and former OU sharpshooter missed his first nine field-goal attempts and all six of his first-half shots from beyond the deeper NBA three-point line. In fact his first two long-range bombs drew nothing but air.

Atlanta lost the game to the Memphis Grizzlies, 103-88. Young started the game and managed to reach double digits in the scoring column in 29 minutes of action, the most of any of his Atlanta teammates. Seven of his 16 total points, however, came from the free-throw line.

The NCAA Division I scoring and assist leader last season shot just 20 percent from the floor (4 of 20) and made only 1 of 11 three-ball attempts, most of them clanging harmlessly off the iron. What saved his night from a single-digit scoring effort was 7 out of 10 made free throws.

Young, also know for his deft passing ability, actually recorded more rebounds (4) than assists (3) in the game.

Young’s Summer League coach Lloyd Pierce told reporters after the game he was not at all surprised nor concerned about the former OU All-American’s lackluster performance.

"“You come out for your first Summer League game, and everybody thinks it’s going to be a home run, a success. Then you see I’ve got a lot of work to do,” said Pierce, who is in his 11th year coaching NBA Summer League games."

Young echoed those same feelings:

"“I definitely didn’t want this, but overall it’s a process. I guess I can just carry that over to tomorrow, getting better each and every day.”"

Not every NBA newcomer fell flat in the game, though. Jaren Jackson, Jr., of Michigan State, led all scorers with 29 points.

Much of Young’s shooting problems in the opening half was caused by an old nemesis from the Big 12. Jevon Carter, who played for West Virginia and gave Young fits last season, had the defensive assignment against the former Sooner star in the early going in Monday’s game.

Young will obviously survive from this. After all, it’s not like he is going to stop shooting or fail tor regain his shooting touch. He is far too confident and skilled for that.

As a reminder: Young scored just 15 points in his very first regular-season game for Oklahoma last season.