Former Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport, LA) and current Walker High School (Walker, LA) standout Tiara Young has made her official commitment to play for the LSU Tigers next fall.
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Young announced her decision on Saturday in front of friends and family, as well has her Walker teammates and coaches, before signing her official letter of intent on Friday.
She's staying home! Louisiana's own Tiara Young is joining the Lady Tiger family! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ #Classof2019 pic.twitter.com/3pLktkZRKa
— LSU Women's Basketball (@LSUwbkb) November 16, 2018
"I'm excited, very excited," Young told the Livingston Parish News. "It was very overwhelming. I enjoyed the process, but it was overwhelming. It was just a lot. It was stressful, and now that it's done, I'm just thankful to be in this position."
LSU emerged from a group of six finalists, which included LSU, TCU, Miami, Houston, Texas Tech, and Mississippi, to keep the Louisiana native at home for the next four years.
"Every time I stepped on campus, I just connected," Young said. "It was family, even with the players. We just clicked every time I was around them. That was one of the main things I was looking for in a school - family atmosphere - and I found it at LSU."
.@WalkerHighScho1’s Tiara Young signs with @LSUwbkb. @meoka15 @wyoung005 @LPNews1898 @WillWeathersLPN pic.twitter.com/NuDmTYFnQk
— Rob DeArmond (@RobDeArmond) November 16, 2018
RELATED: LSU Men's Basketball Off to Hot Start with Electrifying Young Roster
According to ESPN, Young is ranked 26th overall in her class and 8th nationally among guards. She was given a five-star rating and grade of 97 by Scouts.
Last season, she averaged 27 points and 12 rebounds per game for the Lady Eagles, taking them to the second round of the state playoffs.
Entering her senior year, Young has totaled 3,273 points and 1,162 rebounds, and she expects to play combo guard for the Lady Tigers.
The 5-foot-10 senior has been named to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association 5A All-Star Team three times. She was selected to the First-Team in 2016 and 2018, with a Second-Team nod in 2017. She was also a member of the USA Today All-Louisiana First-Team in 2017.
"It is always great to have the top Louisiana guard coming into your program. Tiara is a tremendous talent who will impact our program immediately. Her relentless work ethic and determination towards playing the game is unmatched. She is a versatile, offensive player who can play several different positions due to her ability to attack the rim, handle the ball and shoot the three. We are so excited for her to join the Lady Tiger family and stay in Louisiana!" — Lady Tigers head coach Nikki Fargas, via LSUSports.net
Young joins Dominique Davis (DeRidder High School) as the second ESPN Top 100 commit for Fargas' 2019 class. Last season, she posted averages of 26 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals per game.
Like Young, Davis is a two-time LSWA First Team selection. Davis, a 5-foot-7 point guard, earned a four-star overall rating and and a Scout's rating of 95.
Awa Trasi is the third member of the class so far. Trasi, a native of Toulouse, France, will transfer from Northwest Florida State College. A 6-foot-2 post player, is currently averaging 7.7 points and 7.0 rebounds on 50-percent shooting. She is rated as the fifth best junior college in the nation by Girls Basketball Report.
The Lady Tigers are 3-1 to start young season with eight games, including tilts against Kansas and South Florida, before SEC play tips off in January.
