COLLEGE STATION—Andrew Young, a first-team all-state forward from Monterey Peninsula College in California, has signed a national letter-of-intent to play basketball at Texas A&M, head coach Billy Kennedy announced Tuesday.
The 6-9, 235-pound Young will join the Aggies this fall and have two years of eligibility remaining.
“I feel really fortunate to add Andrew to our program,” Kennedy said. “He adds some toughness and scoring ability around the basket, and I really like the way he rebounds the ball on both ends of the floor. Andrew is a good student who will excel on the court and in the classroom.”
Young averaged 21.8 points and 14.2 rebounds this season at Monterey Peninsula College, leading the state of California in both categories despite being double- and triple-teamed every game. He shot nearly 66 percent from the field and 75 percent from the free-throw line and was named an all-conference and first-team all-state by the California Community College Athletic Association.
“He’s very excited to be coming to A&M,” said Blake Spiering, Young’s coach at Monterey Peninsula. “I’ve never seen the kid smile so big in the three years I’ve know him. He was like a kid in a candy store, it was amazing this morning when he came by the office. As a player, he’s got a high, high motor. He’s very skilled. He’s a great scorer, a great passer and a great rebounder. In saying that, he’s an even better teammate. Even with all accolades he’s gotten, he’s still a true student of the game. He wants to get better. One of things A&M’s staff does is player development. They move guys to the next level. He’s really excited to get under their tutelage.”
Young chose Texas A&M over Oregon, N.C. State and Vanderbilt, among others.
The west coast big man is another addition to a very strong Texas A&M signing class, which now totals six after four additions this spring. In addition to November signees Alex Caruso and J-Mychal Reese, joining the Aggies for next season are Jacksonville, Fla. guard Shawn Smith, College of Southern Idaho point guard Andrew Young and Florida State transfer Antwan Space.
2011-12 TEXAS A&M BASKETBALL CLASS (6)
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Cl. Hometown (High School)
Alex Caruso* G 6-5 180 Fr. College Station, Texas (A&M Consolidated HS)
Fabyon Harris G 5-10 165 Jr. Chicago, Ill. (Hyde Park Academy/
College of Southern Idaho)
J’Mychal Reese* G 6-2 170 Fr. Bryan, Texas (Bryan HS)
Shawn Smith G 6-4 180 Fr. Jacksonville, Fla. (Faith Baptist Christian School)
Antwan Space F 6-8 218 So. DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto HS/Florida State)
Andrew Young F 6-9 235 Jr. Monterey, Calif. (Monterey HS/
Monterey Peninsula College)
* signed in November early period
