RECRUITING: Valley’s Young chooses Cal State Fullerton

Daniel Young’s impact on the basketball court isn’t a mystery, and it’s one of the reasons Valley’s 6-foot-8-inch shot blocker became a hot target on the recruiting trail.

“Opposing teams, when they come in the key, they’re not going to get anything easy when Danny’s in the game,” Valley coach Brian Farnsworth said.

Young will be taking those abilities to the Division I level after high school.

The senior power forward made an oral commitment to Cal State Fullerton while on his official recruiting visit, which ended Saturday. He plans to return to Las Vegas on Sunday.

“They recruited me really hard over the summer,” Young said of the Titans. “I got to meet the players, the coaches. I can’t wait to go there and get to work.”

Young chose Cal State Fullerton over scholarship offers from Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. Sacramento State and Portland State also recruited Young.

“I love the coaches,” Young said of Cal State Fullerton. “Running up and down the floor is my game.”

Young was one of the ingredients in Valley’s run to the Northeast League title, a 22-7 record and a berth in the Sunrise Region semifinals last season.

He averaged 7.1 points and 7.9 rebounds, and was among the area’s leading shot blockers. He often made opponents driving the lane think twice about putting up a shot.

But Young’s game expanded over the summer while playing for the Compton (Calif.) Magic club team.

“Danny’s really come a long way,” Farnsworth said. “His offensive skill set has really come into its own this summer.

“He’s able to face up from 15 feet, and he jumps extremely well for someone his size.”

Young made his presence felt in the postseason last year, coming up with 10 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots in Valley’s 72-54 loss to Green Valley in the region semifinals.

With Northeast Most Valuable Player Caleb Carter graduated, Young is set to emerge as a leader for the Vikings his senior year.

“I want to be a big team leader and push my guys to go harder in practice,” he said.

Farnsworth said that should come naturally for Young.

“Danny, he just wants to win,” Farnsworth said. “He could probably average 15 or 20 (points). As long as he’s winning, that’s all that matters.”