Pelicans Patric Young Prepares for Homecoming
Pelican fans in New Orleans may just be starting to get acquainted with rookie Patric Young, but when the team tips off Wednesday in Jacksonville, the undrafted big man will be one of the most popular faces on the court.
Young is from Jacksonville and starred at the University of Florida for four years.
"I'm really excited about it, having an opportunity to play in front of my hometown, my parents and grandparents," Young said. "It will be a great experience to be in an NBA uniform there and represent my city of Jacksonville. I can't wait for it."
The Pelicans face the Washington Wizards in Jacksonville for the team's third preseason game.
"There are people in Jacksonville who have followed my career and are great fans and love me as a person and a player," Young said. "They say they can't wait to see me on the next level, and they say things like 'Even though he wasn't drafted, this guy is going to prove everybody wrong.' There have been a lot of encouraging things like that, because that's the exact same mindset I've been having every day."
So far this preseason, Young is responsible for 12 rebounds, 7 of them on the offensive glass, in 35 minutes of play.
