Jaydon Young doesn’t need to become the centerpiece of UNC’s offense to change a game.
Sometimes, a team needs a reserve to enter, make an open shot, and give the opponent another problem to solve. Young has the opportunity to become that kind of option for Michael Malone.
His senior season is a chance to make those contributions more dependable.
What you need to know about Jaydon Young
Class: Senior
Position: Guard
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 200 pounds
Hometown: Goldsboro, North Carolina
High school: Greensboro Day
Previous school: Virginia Tech
Young returns to UNC for his second season after two years at Virginia Tech. He made four starts for UNC last season and hit 13-of-46 from the three-point line. His best scoring performance as a Tar Heel was 12 points against Wake Forest.
What Jaydon Young brings to UNC
Young offers an experienced perimeter option with a history of providing scoring in bursts.
The opportunity is to turn that potential into a role that fits this roster. Playing alongside creators like Terrence Brown and Neo Avdalas could give him chances to finish possessions without having to initiate them.
He scored 10 points off the bench against Indiana and put up a much-needed double-digit scoring output in the second half against Charlotte, supplying useful offense on a difficult night for the team.
The biggest question surrounding Jaydon Young
Can Young make enough shots consistently to strengthen his place in the rotation?
His 28.3% three-point shooting last season leaves room for improvement. Converting the open opportunities UNC creates would make it easier for Malone to use him alongside different combinations.
Defensive reliability will matter, too. A shooting contribution matters more when it doesn’t require a compromise on the other end.
What does a successful season look like for Jaydon Young?
Success would mean providing dependable bench minutes and improving his perimeter shooting efficiency.
Young doesn’t need many attempts. He needs to make opponents respect the ones he gets while staying ready, since his opportunities vary from game to game.
The bottom line
Young can help UNC without carrying its offense.
If he becomes a reserve who consistently punishes defensive mistakes, he could be an important part of the team’s biggest nights in just a few well-timed possessions.
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