Jahmir Young’s NBA Rise Is No Longer a Question of “If,” But “When”
Jahmir Young didn’t just leave a mark at Maryland-he left a legacy. Over two seasons in College Park, he was the engine that made the Terps go, a fearless shot-creator who could take over a game at a moment’s notice. And now, two years removed from his college days, Young is steadily turning heads as he climbs the professional ranks, quietly building a résumé that’s starting to demand attention from NBA decision-makers.
His transition to the next level has been anything but quiet on the stat sheet. In his first G League season, Young wasted no time showing he belonged.
He averaged 21.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game-numbers that earned him NBA G League All-Rookie Team honors and, more importantly, validated that his game could translate to the pros. The scoring was there, the playmaking was sharp, and the poise?
That was unmistakable.
That breakout campaign earned him a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls in February, and by March, he was stepping onto an NBA floor for the first time. It was a small sample size-just six games-but it was enough to offer a glimpse of what Young could bring at the highest level.
He didn’t stop there.
Young returned to the Bulls’ Summer League team with something to prove. And he delivered in emphatic fashion.
His highlight moment? A 37-point explosion that set a Bulls Summer League record.
It wasn’t just the scoring-it was the way he dictated pace, controlled the offense, and looked completely comfortable doing it against top-tier young talent.
Still, roster spots are limited, and the Bulls ultimately waived him at the end of the summer. For some, that might’ve been a detour. For Young, it was just a redirection.
Enter the Miami Heat.
Young signed an Exhibit 10 deal with Miami ahead of the season, and before the first tip-off, that was converted into a two-way contract. Another shot.
Another opportunity. And once again, Young made the most of it.
This season in the G League, he’s taken his game to another level-averaging 26.2 points, 8.9 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game. That’s not just steady improvement.
That’s a full-on leap. He’s more efficient, more in control, and more confident.
His shot-making has been elite, his vision sharper, and his leadership undeniable.
And the league has noticed.
Young earned selections to the Rising Stars Game, the G League Next Up Game, and the G League Three-Point Shootout. Those aren’t just accolades-they’re signals that his name is rising fast in NBA circles.
And Miami responded. At the end of January, the Heat promoted him to the NBA roster, where he’s already logged three appearances before the All-Star break.
One of those games came against the Bulls-the team that gave him his first shot. A poetic full-circle moment in a journey that’s far from finished.
If there’s one franchise known for developing gritty, overlooked guards into rotation mainstays, it’s the Heat. And Young seems to be the latest in that line.
He’s embraced the Heat culture-toughness, defense, effort, and unselfishness. Head coach Erik Spoelstra has been direct with him about what it takes to stick.
“Just doing all the little things, you know, getting 50/50 balls and being a pest on defense. And just letting the offense come to me,” Young said.
That mindset is exactly what’s allowing him to evolve. At Maryland, he was the go-to scorer. In the pros, he’s learning how to win in different ways-by making the smart pass, staying locked in defensively, and bringing energy every time he steps on the floor.
Right now, there’s not much left for Young to prove in the G League. He’s scoring at a high level, facilitating like a true floor general, and earning respect across the league.
The next step? A sustained NBA role.
And if his trajectory keeps climbing the way it has, that opportunity isn’t just coming-it’s inevitable.