Defying the odds is something that is not just limited to movies and novels. This is exemplified in the case of the senior guard Darwin Young of the men's basketball team, hard work paid off in dividends.
Young's basketball roots can be traced back locally to Hutch Tech High School, right here in the Nickel City. While playing for the Engineers, he averaged 19 points and three assists per game during his senior year, and was also named to the All-Yale Cup First Team.
But unlike most Division I athletes, Young was not highly recruited coming out of high school. He only received attention from a handful of universities for his skills on the court. Thus not completely satisfied on what the collegiate institutes that did offer him scholarships had to offer, Young chose to stay close to home and attend the University at Buffalo.
"I didn't want to stop playing basketball after high school." Young said. "I got looked at by RIT and D'Youville. I didn't really want to go to RIT and D'Youville doesn't have engineering. That's why I came to UB, for the engineering program."
Even though Young had not been recruited to play for the Bulls, he still had an unquenchable desire to be involved with the sport. In his first year at Buffalo, Young began working as a team manager and a practice player.
All the time and effort he spent setting up equipment and working on the scout team would payoff soon enough for him. Midway through his freshman year, Young was promoted up from the practice squad to the main roster as a walk-on.
"I tried out for the team as a practice player/manager," Young said. "I just kept working hard at practice and then got an opportunity to dress."
One of the biggest adjustments Young had to make from playing high school to college ball was the speed of the game.
"(Being able to play) was really exciting and when I got out there it was really fast," Young said. "It was something I had to just get use to from playing more and more. It was really exciting and was a great feeling being able to step up."
Although Young has been on the team since the 2003-2004 season, it wasn't until his junior year that he started achieving accomplishments. These include recording his first career start and being named a team captain half way through the 2005-2006 campaign.
"During my first start, it was a great feeling against Niagara," Young said. "It was a great opportunity to start and knowing I was to guard their best player."
Yet, it wouldn't be until this season that Young would finally be granted a full scholarship to play for the Bulls.
"I'm just glad that I could finish my last year with a scholarship after all the hard work I put in," Young said. "I appreciate the fact that Coach Witherspoon gave me a full ride because I worked so hard."
Defensively locking down on opposing players has been Young's trademark and is something he feels highly confident about when ever he steps on the court.
"I defend really well," Young said. "I feel like I can lock up the best player on any team in all of basketball. I was a really good defender in high school but I also use to score a lot more. The more I got use to playing hard defense, the less I worried about not scoring as much."
Ironic enough, Young's favorite basketball player is Seattle Sonics guard Ray Allen.
"My favorite player is Ray Allen," Young said. "I like his jump and the way he plays. He plays fearless."
With his last year of playing basketball for the Bulls coming to an end, Young has several options in mind on what his future will hold.
"I am now a sociology major." Young said. "But after basketball, if things don't work out I want to come back and purse an engineering degree. Basketball is my hopes and dreams."
Young is willing nearly to travel anywhere to play basketball professionally. However, he wants to keep his two-year-old daughter, Natalia, as his top priority in the decision making process.
"I would consider going overseas," Young said. "I just want to play at the next level. I don't want to stop after college. I would definitely like to play pro basketball. I also know that I have a daughter. If I have the opportunity to play in the U.S., I'll play in the U.S. But overseas, I would try to but it would be a tough call with a daughter. My own life isn't the most important thing now, it's her."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
