An open letter to Sam Young

Sam Young, Pitt’s top scorer, is a 6-foot-6 junior forward. He can score along the baseline,… Sam Young, Pitt’s top scorer, is a 6-foot-6 junior forward. He can score along the baseline, from 3-point and mid-range and in the paint. He can get out in transition and finish with the best of them. And, more recently, he displayed the defensive prowess of a superstar defender.

Young proved that he has great work ethic and determination by winning the Big East’s most-improved-player award. He tore through the competition at the Big East tournament and was named the tournament’s most outstanding player, showing that he can be a big-time talent who can put up big-time numbers.

But his recent compilation of awards and recognition has him shooting up the NBA mock draft boards all over the Internet. He started the season with NBA athleticism and potential. Now he has the numbers to back it up. As of right now, Young is projected to be a late first-round or early second-round pick.

The following is an open letter to Sam:

Don’t go. Please? You can still get better. And with this year’s deep draft prospects pool, it makes more sense to wait another year and become a lottery pick.

Look, I know you’re 23. I know you’ll be 24 in June. You’ll be a 25-year-old rookie in the NBA if you stay.

But it’s worth it.

This year’s team won the Big East tournament title with your major contributions. You created matchup problems against each and every team Pitt played this year. You were a dominant offensive force in every game. And, in the Big East and NCAA tournaments, Pitt fans witnessed your emergence as a supremely talented defender and shot eraser.

But, Sam, you can get even better.

You can improve your rebounding presence. You can develop better ball handling. You can even work on your driving ability. All of these areas will market you as a small forward for the NBA.

You always say you’re sick of people labeling you as too small for a 4 and too raw for a 3. But if you spend this offseason like you spent last offseason, getting better and working hard to make yourself the team’s most valuable player, you will become one of the top candidates for national player of the year.

The last appeal is clear: If you return, Pitt can win a national title. Your presence alongside the conference’s best point guard, Levance Fields, and one of the best sophomores-to-be, DeJuan Blair, makes Pitt a hot pick for the preseason top 10.

And you guys will be favorites to win the Big East, not just the tournament, the league.

It’s undeniable that you’re thinking about going pro. Who can blame you? But you have a chance to come back for another year, make yourself into a top-10 lottery pick and potentially a national champion.

Who would turn that chance down for a non-guaranteed contract?

Think about it, Sam.

Let’s get to the rapid fire:

– Big congratulations to Pitt women’s hoops. The ladies are keeping it real in the NCAA Tournament. Here’s to hoping the Panthers can do some more damage.

– Jose Canseco’s new book is slated to come out April 1. Canseco wrote that he introduced Alex Rodriguez to a known steroids distributor. Yikes.

– Chris Webber is retiring. It’s been a long time since he called his infamous timeout to cost Michigan the national championship game against North Carolina. Unfortunately, that’s what he’ll always be remembered by.

– TRIVIA: I’ll give you a hearty pat on the back, Roc, if you can tell me how many Pitt basketball teams are in the Sweet 16?

– Four females who say they were underage girls when Joe Francis, founder of “Girls Gone Wild,” filmed them have sued Francis. I have to admit, Roc, I’m not shocked.

– The New England Genealogical Society reportedly announced that it found that Barack Obama is a ninth cousin of Brad Pitt and Hillary Clinton is a ninth cousin of Angelina Jolie. Coincidence? I think not.

– I can’t help but love Davidson. I hope this year’s Cinderella makes the Elite 8. Watch out, powerhouses. Stephen Curry and company are coming for you.

– TRIVIA ANSWER: The answer, Roc, is easy. There is only one Pitt basketball team in the Sweet 16 – the women’s team.

– Parting thought: As much as I enjoyed my time in Denver, I’d rather be in Houston, Roc.