Yuba standout opens things up
Head Coach Doug Cornelius just finished his 6th year at Yuba College in Maryville, CA. The 49ers finished the season at (27-8) and improved Cornelius' record to 126-64 while at Yuba. The 49ers got to the final eight this season in Fresno and lost to Ventura in the quarterfinals 82-75.
JucoJunction had a chance to touch base with Coach Cornelius on Demetrius Young recruitment along with some very promising freshmen in the program.
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Young (SO), 6-foot-6 (190) from Sacramento, CA. The "tweener" had committed early to Marshall University but with the coaching change has decided to go elsewhere for next season.
"Demetrius is a very long athlete that's a jumping jack. He had close to 75 dunks this season and he really hits the glass on both ends of the floor," said Cornelius.
Demetrius is currently on a visit a Boise State. Dayton, Miami (OH) and Loyola (IL) are all trying to gain Young's attention this spring.
Demetrius was the Bay Valley Conference MVP this season along being a All-State Selection.
"He scores 90% of his points in the paint," said Cornelius.
Young averaged 18.1 ppg, 10.9 rebounds and shot a unbelievable 69.3% (239-345) from the floor this season. He scored 836 points in his 63 career games at Yuba College. Young made all-tourney three times this season for Yuba while playing in five tournaments.
Maraceo Rutledge: (SO) 6-foot-3 (220) signed early with UNLV. Rutledge ended up his career at Yuba with 1,345 career points. He made 202 three-pointers in two
seasons.
Aaron Garner: (SO) 6-foot-4 (185) signed early with Boise State.
Xavier Crawford: (FR) 7-foot-0 (218) from Minneapolis, MN. The "X" Man played at Boys to Men Academy in Chicago, IL last season. The former Bradley University signee found his way out to Yuba College this season.
"Xavier is very athletic and he can step out and shoot it from 15 feet in," said Cornelius.
Crawford averaged 5.2 ppg this season for the 49ers. Crawford played at Mount Zion Christian in Durham, NC before playing at Boys to Men Academy.
Royal Edwards: (FR) 6-foot-6 (185) from Sacramento, CA.
"Royal is a freakish athlete," said Cornelius.
The small forward was a All-Conference performer this past season and averaged 10.7 ppg and 5.7 rebounds. Royal shot 51.8% (114-220) from the floor this season.
Festus Ezeli: (FR) 6-foot-11 (255) from Nigeria. Ezeli didn't play this past season at Yuba. He enrolled in classes part-time all season and will be able to get out after next season and have three years at the next level. Ezeli is just 17 years old now and enrolled at Yuba last August 2006 as a 16-year old.
Ezeli attended Jesuit High School in Sacramento and graduated at just 15 years old. He came to the US a few years back to live with a relative in the area. Festus has never played any high school basketball or college basketball to this day.
"His upside is off the charts. He's very raw still, but is very athletic. He's the best 17-year old I've ever seen play" said Cornelius.