Rutgers senior guard Jacob Young hinted that he will not return to the Scarlet Knights in the 2021-22 season, electing to forgo the free year of eligibility granted by the NCAA prior to the current coronavirus-impacted campaign.
Young revealed his decision on Twitter following Rutgers’ devastating loss to Houston in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Sunday night.
The move ends a two-year stint in Piscataway for Young, who transferred to Rutgers after beginning his collegiate career at Texas.
After sitting out the 2018-19 season, Young became a regular fixture in the Scarlet Knights’ rotation in the 2019-20 campaign, averaging 8.5 points, 1.9 assists and a steal in 21 minutes a night as a junior.
Young earned a bigger role as a senior, averaging 14.4 points, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals in 29.9 minutes per game this season. His play was up-and-down, spectacular at times and sloppy at others, leading him to lose and regain his spot in the starting line-up.
In the biggest game of the season, his heroics saved Rutgers from a historic collapse and helped lock in its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 30 years. He played a pivotal role in the Scarlet Knights earning their first NCAA Tournament win in 38 years, too.
With Young’s departure, Rutgers loses its best perimeter defender, its most dynamic on-ball creator and the most energetic player on the roster.
Rutgers’ roster makeup following Young’s decision:
Seniors - Geo Baker (G)
Juniors - Ron Harper Jr. (F), Montez Mathis (G), Caleb McConnell (G/F), Myles Johnson (F), Mamadou Doucoure (F)
Sophomores - Paul Mulcahy (G), Daniel Lobach (F)
Freshmen - Dean Reiber (F), Oskar Palmquist (F), Mawot Mag (F), Cliff Omoruyi (F), Jaden Jones (G)
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Brian Fonseca may be reached at bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com.