Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has gotten comparisons to Golden State Warriors guard (and Carolina Panthers fan) Steph Curry, even before he was a Carolina Panthers quarterback. But he may not necessarily agree with that evaluation, at least when it comes to actually playing basketball.
Young spoke with reporters this afternoon, just a few days ahead of meeting the Houston Texans and fellow rookie passer C.J. Stroud for their Week 8 showdown. The longtime friendship of the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks was, of course, a topic of discussion during the presser—which even ventured into the hardwood.
“He can hoop,” he said of Stroud’s basketball skills. “We have different games. I’m more of a point. He’s a shooter. He can shoot. He got a strap. He’s a shooter-off-the-catch type of player. I’m more on-the-ball. He can hoop, for sure.”
So, if he can hoop, who does he hoop like? Darin Gantt of Panthers.com tried to get to the bottom of it, asking Young about his NBA comparisons for himself and for Stroud.
“I’d like to say my comparison, is probably like a Darius Garland,” he replied. “And then C.J. . . . that’s a good question. Um, that’s a good question. Honestly, I’d say like a, low key like a Michael Porter Jr. Like, he can hit contested shots, like, not see contests. Just gonna let it go and it’ll go in. See, y’all start askin’ me basketball questions, that’s when I start gettin’ excited.”
Comparisons to an All-Star point guard and a reigning NBA champion? Yeah, we’d say he’s pretty excited.