Young was hard to miss at 6’2 with a very long span, wearing purple and gold, when she and her teammates from Andrew Jackson walked into the gym on day one. I was not planning to stay for that game but when someone told me she was a 2030 my interest was peaked enough to stay and watch her play for 15-20 minutes. Tonya has a lot of upside and with a lot of hard work over the course of the next four years, has the potential to play at the Power Four level not only because of her size but also her ability to move at her size so smoothly. The promise is there, both on the inside and outside, for Young as showed glimpses and flashes of what she is capable of in both areas of the court. Fundamentally, she is sound in all areas and will only continue to build upon that strong foundation over the next for years. She was good handling the basketball and shooting from the perimeter and rebounded the ball while blocking and altering shots on the defensive end. Potential is the key word here, but Tonya has the physical gifts to become a big time college prospect with continued work in the weight room and on skill development.

Tonya may have the most slender and wiry frame among the players featured in this group, but that build also contributes to some of her most intriguing long-term upside. She is an athletic prospect who plays with energy and competes hard on every possession. Her length allows her to impact the game in multiple ways, whether it’s blocking shots around the basket, disrupting plays defensively, or creating extra opportunities on the glass. Offensively, Tonya has shown the ability to stretch the floor and knock down shots from the perimeter which is a valuable skill for a player with her size and length. She runs the floor well, moves fluidly, and possesses tools that cannot be taught. As she continues to add strength, polish her overall skill set, and gain experience, Tonya has legitimate upside and the potential to develop into one of the more intriguing size prospects in Florida’s 2030 class.

Tonya Young Tonya Young 6'2" | PF/SF Andrew Jackson | 2030 FL was one of the most impressive young prospects I saw during the spring evaluation period. What stands out most is the upside and potential in her game as it continues to develop. She possesses a strong frame for her age, runs the floor well, and remains active on both ends of the court. Young is beginning to show improved footwork around the basket and is learning how to create scoring opportunities in the paint. While much of her game is still in the developmental stages, the flashes are easy to see. The combination of size, activity level, developing skill, and willingness to expand her game makes Young a prospect worth monitoring this Summer as she continues her basketball journey.

Standing 6-foot-2, Tonya Young Tonya Young 6'2" | PF/SF Andrew Jackson | 2030 FL immediately stood out as one of the more intriguing frontcourt prospects in attendance. Despite being a rising eighth grader, the young forward showed she could compete effectively against older and more experienced players. She was impressive with the work she put in on the glass, on the break, and around the basket. She drew fouls through aggressive play around the basket and finished on some scoring opportunities in the paint. She also showed her upside as a perimeter scorer by stepping out and knocking down jumpers, showcasing versatility that will only continue to develop as she matures. Perhaps most impressive was her ability to compete during “whistle-hiding” physical play. Young grew up this weekend, and the future is bright for the “Young” baller.

Tonya Young Tonya Young 6'2" | PF/SF Andrew Jackson | 2030 FL showcased a strong all-around interior game over in Gainesville. She did a good job of attacking the basket and finishing through traffic while also displaying a nice touch in the mid-range. She ran the floor very well creating scoring opportunities in the transition game. Young rebounded aggressively on both ends of the court and was productive around the basket, converting on second- chance opportunities. One of the most impressive aspects of her performance was her instincts. She recognized opportunities and immediately advanced the ball up the floor to create easy scoring opportunities for her team. Young demonstrated strong positioning, confidence, and a natural feel for the game. She will be one to watch at the Brawl at the Palms.

Tonya Young Tonya Young 6'2" | PF/SF Andrew Jackson | 2030 FL showed a strong ability to attack the rim and score while also displaying touch on mid-range shots. She ran the floor well, rebounded aggressively on both ends, and scored effectively inside. One of the more impressive parts of her game was her instincts. She did a good job of rebounding and advancing the ball vertically when her team had an advantage, making for easy transition baskets. She consistently positioned herself well and played with confidence around the basket. Young was one of the most impressive young interior players at the Florida Brawl.

Tonya has excellent size and length for her age. She stood out with her effort on the boards, creating second-chance opportunities with offensive rebounds especially. Her timing when blocking shots was also impressive by using her length to make an impact on the defensive end.

Tonya Young Tonya Young 6'2" | PF/SF Andrew Jackson | 2030 FL was a player who epitomized the word “young” this past weekend, but she doesn’t play like a 7th grader. Young impressed with a sweet turn around jumper and rejected a few shot attempts in the paint. Young was very active on the boards and rebounded well on both ends of the floor. She snagged rebounds out of the air and actively pursued the ball. She has good length, moves well, and is athletic. That equates to a player to keep an eye on. She is touted to be one of the top players in the 2030 class and after seeing her this past weekend – no argument here!