James Young to Kentucky: Wildcats Land 5-Star SG

Kentucky has landed coveted recruit James Young, as the star shooting guard chose to sign with the Wildcats on Thursday, according to Evan Daniels of Fox Sports:

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James Young has officially committed to Kentucky.

— Evan Daniels (@EvanDanielsFOX) October 11, 2012"

The senior guard from Rochester High School in Michigan also had offers from Kansas, Syracuse and Michigan State, according to ESPN. He is ranked fifth on the 2013 ESPN 100.

Following Young's decision, Jabari Parker (No. 1) and Julius Randle (No. 3) are the only players in the top five of the ESPN 100 who have yet to sign.

Adding a great offensive player such as Young to their 2013-14 roster will make the Wildcats a legitimate contender for the national title and a really fun team to watch.

Let's look at what skills Young will showcase at Kentucky and what kind of impact we can expect from him in his first year.

What Does He Bring to the Team?

Young brings a wealth of scoring talent to the Wildcats with an impressive repertoire of effective offensive moves.

He can drive the ball to the basket or stretch defenses with his good shooting range. He can create his own shot with his superior quickness and also moves well without the ball.

Even though he can shoot well consistently from the outside, don't expect Young to just stay around the three-point line. He's most dangerous when penetrating defenses.

At 6'6" and 200 pounds, Young has enough size to be a productive shooting guard, but he would be wise to add muscle to his frame so he can be more effective as a small forward.

Freshman Impact

Young is an above-average passer, but he is most effective in a scoring role. Although he could also play small forward for the Wildcats, he is better suited at the shooting guard position, which is where he would play in the NBA.

When you look at his impressive defensive skills and spectacular offensive talents, it's easy to see why Young is one of the most complete players in his recruiting class.

It would be surprising if Young didn't start right away for John Calipari. He's ready to handle the pressure and responsibility that comes with being a star player on a title contender.

Kentucky fans should be excited to watch Young play as a freshman because pure scorers like him are going to make the Wildcats a very difficult team to beat.

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