Atlanta Hawks Guard Trae Young Was Once Labeled "The Next Steph Curry"

Young said the always compared to Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry in college

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry has reshaped the NBA with his impressive 3-point shooting skills. Because the league is now prioritizing 3-point shooting over other aspects, many players have spent their college years trying to improve in that area.

On a recent episode of Paul George’s Podcast P with Paul George podcast, Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young said he was constantly being compared to the 10-time All-Star while playing in college.

“I swear, that’s all they was pushing was “the next Steph Curry” - Trae Young

Following his attendance at Norman North High School, Young spent the 2017-18 season at the University of Oklahoma as he played for the Oklahoma Sooners.

During his tenure with the Sonners, he averaged 27.4 points and 8.7 assists while shooting 36.0% from the 3-point line. After scoring 43 points against the Oregon Ducks at the beginning of the year, he was immediately compared to Curry. However, his best game took place on Jan. 13, as he recorded 43 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, one steal, one block, and 10 3-pointers against the TCU Horned Frogs.

After the Sonners lost in the 2018 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, Young entered the 2018 NBA draft with multiple scouting reports comparing him to Curry.

Young was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks as the fifth overall pick but traded to the Hawks for Luka Doncic. Although he shot just 32.4% of the 3-point line in his first season, Young still had a magnificent campaign. With averages of 19.1 points and 8.1 assists, he finished behind Doncic for second in voting for the Rookie of the Year award.

For the next five years, Young averaged 27.1 points, 9.9 assists, and one steal. He continued to improve his shooting as he shot 36.1% from beyond the arc. In his young career, he is already a three-time All-Star and All-NBA player.

Although he isn’t as great as Curry is, Young’s supreme talents can’t be denied.

Cory Nelson is a contributor to Fansided’s Wiz of Awes. He attended Northern Virginia Community College. He can be reached at corymckenzienelson@hotmail.com or follow him on Twitter @CKenzyNelson, Instagram @ckenzynelson, and Threads @ckenzynelson