In an alternative universe, a big three of Kevin Knox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Trae Young led the 2017-2018 Kentucky Wildcats to a national championship. But in the universe we live in, Trae Young committed to Oklahoma.
According to Ray Young, Trae’s father, Trae Young to Kentucky “almost happened”. He said that “Somebody beat Trae to the punch and committed earlier.” That “somebody” would be Quade Green.
Ray went further in depth, saying, “Man it was a tough decision for him. He wanted to go there. He loved Coach Cal and wanted to play there. But when Green committed so early it just killed everything”.
During the 2017-2018 season, Quade Green averaged 9.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Green’s sophomore season would consist of nine games where he would average 8 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He would then transfer to Washington where he would play his last two seasons of college basketball.
While playing for the Oklahoma Sooners during the 2017-2018 season, Trae Young averaged 27.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game. He was named All-Big 12 and a Consensus All-American. He is also the only NCAA player to EVER lead the country in points and assists per game in the same season.
UK would go on to lose to Kansas State in the 2018 Sweet Sixteen to conclude that season. Imagine if Kentucky had “Ice Trae” to power them throughout that tournament. Perhaps a ninth championship banner would be hanging in the rafters.
What could have been…
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