James Madison University - Index

James Madison University - Madison Magazine - Summer 2008 - Index

By Ginny Ficker (’08)
t
he WnBa’s atlanta dream made Tamera Young’s dreams come true
in april when the team selected her as the eighth overall pick in the
WnBa draft. Young (’08), who shattered nearly every JMU women’s
basketball record, is the dukes’ first-ever WnBa draft choice.
Young began playing basketball in third grade, and she credits her
“coach, family and close friends” as those who made the most
impact on her journey.
JMU women’s basketball head coach Kenny Brooks recruited
Young to JMU and worked with her for her entire JMU hoops
career. “From the beginning, Tamera was very observant of my
intentions in her recruitment process,” he says. “Her greatest
strength is her character. as good a basketball player as she
is, she’s a better person. she has a big heart and wants to
make everyone happy.”
even before the exciting news of the WnBa draft,
Young had already attained incredible heights in her college
basketball career. she was the leading scorer and rebounder
in the Colonial athletic association and the 2008 Caa
Player of the Year with an average of 20.4 points and 10.4
rebounds a game. she also scored an unprecedented 2,121
career points, a record for JMU as well as for the Caa. she
now holds the JMU record — 1,127 — for career rebounds.
Young also holds JMU records for points in a game — 38
— and points in a season — 693.
Tensions ran high at draft headquarters in Palm Harbor,
Fla., as Young waited while the first seven draft picks were
called. When her name was called eighth, she describes
the feeling as excited. “Words can’t describe the way i felt;
truly blessed,” she says.
Young has had some incredible experiences along the
way including leading the dukes deep into the 2008 Womens’
national invitation Tournament, and beating Radford
and indiana before losing to Kentucky in the third round.
she says one of the most incredible moments of her career
on the court was when JMU beat old dominion University
at JMU during her sophomore year.
“she was our ‘all everything’ guard on the floor,” Brooks says.
“she scored, rebounded and defended as well as anyone i have coached;
and she was more of a leader by example, otherwise, expecting everyone to rise to
her level of compassion and excellence.”
The JMU women’s basketball team is “a family on and off the court,” Young
says; “however, it was coach Brooks who prepared me for the WnBa.”
Brooks, also a JMU alum (’91), joined Young in Palm Harbor for the excitement
of draft day. “Young’s hard work, sweat and tears have not only propelled
her to a professional career in the WnBa, but have also done wonders for the
JMU women’s basketball program on the national scene,” declares Brooks.
Reaching the WnBa has been Young’s dream since she was a child. she
hopes now that even as a rookie she can “contribute to the team’s future success.”
Young encourages her fellow students to “always follow your heart and
don’t let anyone tell you that you are not capable of doing something. Prove all
your doubters wrong.” M
26 Madison Magazine
BRIGHTLIGHTS
[Tamera Young]
Atlanta Dream’s WNBA pick