NBA Hoops

Sixers select versatile big man Thaddeus Young

Sixers select versatile big man Thaddeus Young

The Philadelphia 76ers entered the 2007 NBA draft just looking to build something again. They suffered through a tough 2006-07 season after trading away franchise stalwart Allen Iverson after 15 games and then waiving Chris Webber as they slumped to a 35-47 record.

The Sixers held the 12th pick in the draft and a versatile big man fell in their laps in the form of Thaddeus Young out of Georgia Tech. The long, lanky lefty did it all for the Sixers as he earned the respect of his coaches and teammates right away.

Young played in 74 games, starting 22, as a rookie and he played 21 minutes per game and averaged 8.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. He helped the Sixers make a surprising run to the NBA Playoffs and he started in all six games as Philadelphia was eliminated by the Detroit Pistons in Round 1.

He was also a starter on the 2009 playoff team and he made a game-winner over Dwight Howard to give Philadelphia a 2-1 lead in that series before the Orlando Magic won three straight. Overall, Young played seven seasons with the Sixers before being traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2014 offseason and he is now with the Toronto Raptors.

In seven seasons, Young averaged 13.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 steals as he was a guy the Sixers could count on a nightly basis. In his last season, he was a good veteran during the first โ€œThe Processโ€ season and he was a good example for the youngsters on that Philadelphia team.

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