Thaddeus Charles Young
Thaddeus Charles Young (born June 21, 1988) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Prior to his professional career, he attended Georgia Tech, where he studied management.He is 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm) tall and weighs 230 pounds (100 kg). His nickname is Thad-Yo or just simply Thad.
Young was drafted 12th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He was signed by the team on July 11, 2007.
Early life and high schoolYoung was born to Lula Hall and Felton Young in New Orleans, Louisiana. His family moved to Memphis, Tennessee when Young was in the fourth grade. His father played basketball for Jacksonville University from 1976 to 1978, and was selected by the Buffalo Braves in the 8th round of the 1978 NBA Draft.
Young began playing varsity basketball in the eighth grade, and while attending Mitchell High School, he rose to the top of the high school player rungs. His athletic honors included being named to the all-state team three times, being named the TSSAA Class AA "Mr. Basketball" in 2005, being named the 2006 Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year and being named to the McDonald's High School All-American Team. In 2006, he led Mitchell's basketball team to the TSSAA Class AA finals against Liberty Technology Magnet High School. As a senior, he averaged 26.9 points, 13.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 4.3 steals and 3.6 blocks per game. He was an excellent overall athlete at Mitchell who also excelled in cross country in his junior year. Young was an exceptional student at Mitchell who graduated with a 4.3 GPA. Coming out of high school Young was one of the most prized recruits of the 2006 freshman class.
College
Young was the youngest member of Georgia Tech's 2006 freshman class. Young finished his freshman season with averages of 14.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He shot a solid 47.8% from the field and an above average 41.9% from the three-point line.
Philadelphia 76ers (2007–present)
Rookie season
On June 28, 2007, Young was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers as the 12th overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft.
Throughout the beginning of the 2007–08 season, the Sixers played rookie teammate Jason Smith often, while Young did not play.
In his NBA debut on November 7, 2007, Young made his first NBA field goal at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a 94–63 Sixers' win over the Charlotte Bobcats. Young finished the night with 6 points, 3 rebounds, and no assists.
Until General Manager (GM) Ed Stefanski was hired, Young did not play very often. After the trade of Kyle Korver, Young played more minutes and alternated with Reggie Evans in the starting lineup. Young averaged 8.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 21 minutes per game during 2007–08. His season high in points was 22 against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 9, 2008. He played a total of 74 games, starting 22.
Sophomore season
Young continued on his rookie season play by following with a sophomore season that currently features an increase in major statistical categories such as points and rebounds. Thaddeus Young was elected to play in the Rookie-Sophomore game in 2009 as a member of the Sophomore team.
In game 3 of the 76ers opening round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, Young made a game-winning shot with 2 seconds remaining to give Philadelphia a 2 games to 1 lead.
Personal life
In his free time, Young started a foundation called Young for Youth to help at risk children.
On July 23, 2010, Young and Shekinah Beckett had their first child, a boy, Thaddeus Young Jr. On August 18, 2012, Young married Beckett, his high school sweetheart, in their hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.
Thaddeus Charles Young (born June 21, 1988) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Prior to his professional career, he attended Georgia Tech, where he studied management.He is 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm) tall and weighs 230 pounds (100 kg). His nickname is Thad-Yo or just simply Thad.
Young was drafted 12th overall in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. He was signed by the team on July 11, 2007.
Early life and high schoolYoung was born to Lula Hall and Felton Young in New Orleans, Louisiana. His family moved to Memphis, Tennessee when Young was in the fourth grade. His father played basketball for Jacksonville University from 1976 to 1978, and was selected by the Buffalo Braves in the 8th round of the 1978 NBA Draft.
Young began playing varsity basketball in the eighth grade, and while attending Mitchell High School, he rose to the top of the high school player rungs. His athletic honors included being named to the all-state team three times, being named the TSSAA Class AA "Mr. Basketball" in 2005, being named the 2006 Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year and being named to the McDonald's High School All-American Team. In 2006, he led Mitchell's basketball team to the TSSAA Class AA finals against Liberty Technology Magnet High School. As a senior, he averaged 26.9 points, 13.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 4.3 steals and 3.6 blocks per game. He was an excellent overall athlete at Mitchell who also excelled in cross country in his junior year. Young was an exceptional student at Mitchell who graduated with a 4.3 GPA. Coming out of high school Young was one of the most prized recruits of the 2006 freshman class.
College
Young was the youngest member of Georgia Tech's 2006 freshman class. Young finished his freshman season with averages of 14.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He shot a solid 47.8% from the field and an above average 41.9% from the three-point line.
Philadelphia 76ers (2007–present)
Rookie season
On June 28, 2007, Young was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers as the 12th overall pick of the 2007 NBA Draft.
Throughout the beginning of the 2007–08 season, the Sixers played rookie teammate Jason Smith often, while Young did not play.
In his NBA debut on November 7, 2007, Young made his first NBA field goal at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a 94–63 Sixers' win over the Charlotte Bobcats. Young finished the night with 6 points, 3 rebounds, and no assists.
Until General Manager (GM) Ed Stefanski was hired, Young did not play very often. After the trade of Kyle Korver, Young played more minutes and alternated with Reggie Evans in the starting lineup. Young averaged 8.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 21 minutes per game during 2007–08. His season high in points was 22 against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 9, 2008. He played a total of 74 games, starting 22.
Sophomore season
Young continued on his rookie season play by following with a sophomore season that currently features an increase in major statistical categories such as points and rebounds. Thaddeus Young was elected to play in the Rookie-Sophomore game in 2009 as a member of the Sophomore team.
In game 3 of the 76ers opening round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, Young made a game-winning shot with 2 seconds remaining to give Philadelphia a 2 games to 1 lead.
Personal life
In his free time, Young started a foundation called Young for Youth to help at risk children.
On July 23, 2010, Young and Shekinah Beckett had their first child, a boy, Thaddeus Young Jr. On August 18, 2012, Young married Beckett, his high school sweetheart, in their hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.