In her last year of eligibility, the University of Illinois Chicago’s Kristian Young has broken two program records. Young, a graduate student from Indianapolis, Indiana, has been vital to the Flames’ lineup since her freshman year.
“It’s really rare that anyone gets to play their entire career at one school,” Young told MidMajorBasketball.com. “UIC was somewhere I knew I’d have the opportunity to grow as a player, and I definitely have.”
Earlier this season, Young stepped on the court for her 137th game, breaking the program record for most games played in a Flames uniform. Young’s teammate and fellow fifth-year Flame, Jaida McCloud, who Young describes as her rock on the court, previously held the record.
“Jaida has been a huge influence on and off the court, we’ve really been each other’s home for the past few years. It’s so special,” Young said.
Earlier this season, Young inbounded a pass to McCloud for a hard-fought layup against Valparaiso. The assist marked Young’s 505th career assist, surpassing Terri Bender, who played for the Flames from 2012-17, to become the all-time leader in assists across program history.
Young’s influence on the program goes beyond her presence on the court, and head coach Ashleen Bracey noted her consistency ahead of the team’s matchup against the LSU Tigers earlier this year. Despite going scoreless against the Tigers, Young was a defensive powerhouse off the bench for the Flames, holding LSU to one of its lowest-scoring margins this season.
That game nearly doubled the single-game attendance record for the Flames, putting a spotlight on the Flames among the current rise of women’s basketball nationwide. Beginning her career at UIC during the COVID-19 pandemic, Young has seen firsthand the program’s efforts to build their brand up from the ground and plans to continue supporting the Flames after her eligibility is up.
“I’m really trying to make every moment count,” she said. “From the Power Four to the Missouri Valley, we’re all making a difference, and I’m so glad we’re creating a culture in Chicago that people want to be a part of.”
Looking to extend their winning record into a third consecutive year for the first time in program history, the Flames tip off at Illinois State (17-10, 11-5 MVC) at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
