Player Profile: RJ Young – Cedar Crest
Written by: TJ Eck on August 5, 2024
Over the coming weeks we will be featuring a few of the top players in the Lancaster-Lebanon League through our Player Profile series. We start with RJ Young of Cedar Crest. Below are his answers to a variety of questions from the LLHooops.com team.
Player Profile
Name: RJ Young
School: Cedar Crest
Class: Rising Senior
Position: Power Forward/Center
Height: 6’7″
Jersey Number: #11
2023-2024 Stats: 8.9 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 54.0% FG, 39 Blocks
Questions
1. Why did you decide to start playing basketball?
“I started playing basketball because of my Dad. He played at Lebanon Valley College and has commented how the team/shared journey in pursuing championships has greatly influenced who he is today. He would take me along to men’s league games at a really young age and I loved watching him play. He has been my coach, teacher and mentor, and I have loved learning the the game from him.”
2. What’s your favorite part of the game of basketball?
“My favorite part of playing basketball has been the pursuit of winning championships with my friends. Last year was such a great experience with that group because we put aside our individual goals to accomplish something together, I think only four other Cedar Crest teams have accomplished. In addition to winning, we simply had fun; we enjoyed being around each other, grinded hard when it mattered, laughed when we needed to, and came close to maximizing our combined potential.”
3. What NBA/College basketball player do you model your game after and why?
“I don’t try to model my game after any particular player, but I feel my game is definitely similar to a Nikola Jokic. My Dad and all my other high school coaches have really helped me develop as a post player. Through AAU, I have had the opportunity to develop playing on the perimeter and knocking down shots. One of my favorite aspects of my game is the ability to see the floor, find open teammates, and work out of double teams with the pass. It’s this skill that I think resembles Jokic’s skill set the most.”
4. What’s your favorite moment from your high school basketball career up to this point?
“My favorite moment so far is winning the Lancaster-Lebanon League championship last year. That was, by far, the most fun I’ve had playing this game. We came into the season as the favorites, based mainly on the expectations of the senior class, and we were the hunted night in and night out. In addition, I was coming into the season somewhat under the radar due to significant injuries I had my freshman and sophomore seasons, and wanted to have a positive impact on our team’s ability to win. To be able to accomplish our goals of section and league champions, taking the eventual district (Cumberland Valley) and State (Central York) champions to the brink of winning, knowing we had to do whatever it it would take to win, and being the missing piece to that group is what made last year so special for me.”
5. What are your goals for the upcoming 2024-2025 high school basketball season?
“My team goal this year is the same as last year: do whatever it takes to help us defend the section and league championships. Even though we graduated four starters and other seniors, we have a lot of talent ready to step in and contribute right away. This senior class has had our own successes early in our school careers, having never lost a game in middle school. Provided we play together and continue to sacrifice personal goals for team, I can speak for all of us when I say we expect to be back at Manheim Township (site of the L-L League championship) next February.”
6. What are your plans for after high school?
“My plan after high school is to play college basketball. I’m not sure where yet, but I’m fortunate enough to have many great options available to me.”
(Photo provided by RJ Young)
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