Off the Court: Pelicans forward Patric Young

New Orleans Pelicans fans who also follow SEC college basketball and nearby Louisiana State University may already be somewhat familiar with Patric Young, who played four years for the Florida Gators. The rookie big man, who is listed at 6-foot-9, 240 pounds, comes from an excellent academic and athletic background – he was a three-time SEC Academic Player of the Year, and his father, Robert Young, was a tight end in the USFL in the 1980s. Patric sat down with Pelicans.com to discuss his profile and some of his interests away from basketball: Best moment as an athlete: “Committing to the University of Florida, then having over 120 wins as a player there. We went to the Final Four there and were undefeated in the SEC for a season. Now that I’m here in the NBA, hopefully there are more to come.”How he chose his current uniform number of 4: “I didn’t get to choose it; I was given it. I wore it in college and I was going to change numbers, but I got 4.”One thing fans might be surprised to know about him: “I can sing a little bit. I can hit a few notes.” [smiles]Favorite thing about New Orleans: “The food. And the people are very nice.”Pregame ritual: “I’ve got take a nap and a shower. I like to take some time to read something and then get ready to play.”First job: “Being a professional basketball player.”Favorite athletes as a kid: “In baseball, I loved Nomar Garciaparra and Ken Griffey Jr. In basketball, Tim Duncan and David Robinson. In football, (Jacksonville Jaguars running back) Fred Taylor and Emmitt Smith.”What he’d be doing if he weren’t an NBA player: “I probably would’ve kept playing baseball. If that didn’t turn into a career, I would probably still be in school, studying to be either a psychologist or a doctor.”Closest friends currently playing on other NBA teams or in other pro sports: “Trey Burton, who plays tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles. Ronald Powell, who plays linebacker here for the Saints. I know both of those guys from college at Florida. In basketball, I’m friends with Harrison Barnes, Kendall Marshall, Jared Sullinger, P.J. Hairston and a million other guys I know well.”Favorite type of music: “R&B, country, hip-hop.”Favorite TV show: “Right now I’m watching Walking Dead, season 4.”Favorite movies of all time: “Sandlot, Goodfellas, Field of Dreams, Man on Fire.”Favorite websites: “Bleacher Report, Yahoo!, Pelicans.com.”