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MEN'S BASKETBALL Looking forward By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Follow @@Kris_Henry MailTribune.com By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Follow @@Kris_Henry Posted Mar. 31, 2016 @ 7:44 pm Updated Apr 1, 2016 at 11:51 AM By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Follow @@Kris_Henry Posted Mar. 31, 2016 @ 7:44 pm Updated Apr 1, 2016 at 11:51 AM --> ... » Read more X Alex Young WHO: A 6-foot-2 senior guard for the UC Irvine men’s basketball team. WHAT: Young became the first player in UC Irvine history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists. The former Class 4A state player of the year from Phoenix wrapped up his Anteater career Tuesday with the school record in assists (576). OF NOTE: Young averaged 9.5 points, 4.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals in a school-record 139 games played at UC Irvine (130 starts). » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> For as much as Alex Young wanted to win his final collegiate game Tuesday, he’s more than content with the entirety of his four-year run with the UC Irvine men’s basketball team. After all, he didn’t win in his final game at Phoenix High School and the next chapter of his life turned out just fine. With his record-setting time at UC Irvine now complete, Young is equally excited about turning the page to what he envisions being another thrilling chapter. “I’m at peace leaving the program now because I feel like we’ve done a good job of putting UC Irvine on the map in the basketball world,” Young said Wednesday after returning from New York following the CollegeInsider.com championship loss to Columbia. “I came to school and did what I wanted to do and accomplished everything I possibly could have and more. I’m excited moving forward to the next chapter now that this one is over, but I’ll forever be grateful to have had these four years at UC Irvine.” And what a four years it was for Young, who guided Phoenix to the 2011 state title en route to Class 4A state player-of-the-year honors as a junior. In his senior year, the Pirates were state runners-up. In his time at UC Irvine, Young became the first player in school history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists. He set the school record in career assists at 576 after leading the team in that category during three of his four seasons. In all, Young played in a program-best 139 games — with 130 starts — and totaled 1,324 points (ranking him ninth on the career list), 504 rebounds and 154 steals (ranking him fourth). He helped guide the Anteaters to a school-record 28 wins in 38 games this past season, including a UCI record 13 road wins and 15 nonconference wins, and was named to the CIT all-tournament team following Tuesday’s 73-67 loss. “I’ve put everything I can into this program and I don’t have any regrets,” said Young, 22. “Of course I would’ve wanted to win my last game, but at least we went out swinging and gave it our best effort.” Young said playing a fourth straight road game in the tournament seemed to catch up to the Anteaters in the championship final. He finished with 10 points, six rebounds and six assists in his final collegiate game to amplify the all-around abilities that allowed him to make history at UC Irvine. “I guess it just shows that I can do a little bit of everything,” Young said of being the first Anteater to eclipse those major category milestones. “I do the things that’s most necessary to put my teams in position to win, whether that’s scoring, rebounding or getting other guys involved. I’m sure it will happen again soon by one of my teammates, Luke Nelson is on pace for it next year, but to be the first is definitely an honor. I’m blessed to have done that. I was just put in great situations and positions to be able to accomplish that.” His next situation is to be determined. Young, who will graduate in June with a sociology degree, said he was contacted by four agencies Wednesday looking to represent him as he turns toward a professional basketball career. “It’s kind of a bittersweet time to the point where I’m ready to take the next step and play professionally now,” said Young, “but at the same time I’m going to miss playing with the group of guys I’ve played with the last few years and having that brotherhood and all those memories you create in four years of college. I’ve been fortunate to be part of such great teams here.” Young returned to the Rogue Valley on Thursday for a five-day break to catch his breath before returning to California to finish out the school year. He said he’ll continue to mull his professional opportunities and continue the process of choosing an agent, but he’s certain his future remains on the basketball court. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do and I’ve worked so hard for,” said Young. “I haven’t had a doubt in my mind that I want to stop playing the game because I still have passion and love for it. My plan is to keep playing as long as I can. I really want to play until my legs don’t let me or the ball doesn’t bounce.” Young already owns some experience playing at the next level after spending the past two summers competing with Nelson for Great Britain (of which Young has dual citizenship) in the European U20 Championships in 2014 and for the senior team last year. As long as his next team allows it, Young said he hopes to continue playing for Great Britain again in August and in future years. “That’s the plan to go back there as long as it works out,” he said. “Being part of the national team has been a great experience and just given more opportunities to continue playing the game I love.” Reach reporter Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, [email protected] , www.facebook.com/krishenryMT or www.twitter.com/Kris_Henry. By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Follow @@Kris_Henry MailTribune.com By Kris Henry Mail Tribune Follow @@Kris_Henry Posted Mar. 31, 2016 @ 7:44 pm Updated Apr 1, 2016 at 11:51 AM » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football Biggest Fantasy Football Winners, Losers of NFL FA So Far Mar. 23, 2016 at 10:24 pm calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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