Meet Zion Young | Professional Basketball Player & Athlete

We had the good fortune of connecting with Zion Young and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zion, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Chicago, IL – I was born and raised on the South side of Chicago.

How did your background and upbringing impact who you are today?

Growing up in Chicago, you got to have tough skin. Throughout my life, I was always challenged and pushed to my limits; from my physical health and not being able to play, to my mental health and being told I would never be able to walk again. I learned at an early age about adversity and how to overcome it, this taught me to be mentally strong and helped me to look past what others had to say. Witnessing gun violence and losing close loved ones made me be cautious of my surroundings, choose the right path and continue to stay true to who I am because I was always being challenged.

My entire upbringing I had to make it a point to show people that I should be here, that I deserve to be here and that’s why I received the opportunity to play basketball professionally. I believe that if I was able to get through the hardships of growing up in Chicago and taking criticism as I was growing from a boy into a man, getting overseas would be no problem because I went through all the trials that would build me up for the next chapter I was about to embark on. Everything I went through, encountered and overcame is because of where I came from and the place that built me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a professional basketball player and this is my first year playing overseas for Georgia Tbilisi.

What sets me apart from others is the trials and tribulations I went through and overcame growing up in Chicago, witnessing violence at a young age and losing close loved ones made me become more aware of myself and to hold myself accountable to make the right decisions. In my upbringing, I was told that I would have a hitch when I walk, I would need knee replacement and I wouldn’t be able to play with my kids by the time I hit my 20’s. Hearing those things being said to me made me want to push even longer during practice because there wasn’t anything a person who told me what I could or could not do. When I was told I would not be able to play basketball again, I was able to work hard everyday, be consistent and trust God to prove that I could make it at not only a collegiate level but I would make it professionally as well.

I am most excited about playing my first year professionally and living overseas, I get to learn new cultures, languages and the history about the country I’ll be playing for along with those I will get to meet along this journey.

I got to where I am today professionally because of the work ethic my Dad instilled into me, sacrifice and resiliency. At a young age, my Dad would pick me up from school and we would workout, watch basketball highlights and while watching my Dad work his everyday job. He always provided and made sure that I (and my family) got everything we needed to survive and take care of myself. I learned at a young age what the saying “once you begin to carry your own water, you will realize the importance of every drop” and it paved the road to me accomplishing so much of what I’ve seen so far. He’s shown me his whole life that he could do it and if he couldn’t, he always made a way. He pushed me to be better and to never settle. I would not be on this Earth or be living the dreams that I have without him. He is everything and more to me.

If it was easy than everybody would go pro and everyone would’ve made it into the leagues. I was in a point of time where I wasn’t able to walk without promise that I would be able to ever again. My therapy to recovery was my own workout with my Dad, with the pain, anger and longing to be back to where I was I pushed myself to be back on the court where I needed to be.

Things I want people to know:
That God is the greatest, God has never forsaken me. Everyone goes through things differently and he blessed me to see things through a different point of view, he showed me that I’m not just a basketball player. I have a family. I have loving parents. I was built around love and I carry that wherever I go and even if I don’t know you I want to continue to show love. I love helping others because I was the kid that needed help and looked for a big brother to turn to and receive that type of love. I met a group of friends through basketball that opened other connections for me. I appreciate God giving me a second chance. I have been alone and been through it mentally. I believe in living with no hatred in your heart because life is short. Basketball doesn’t define me and social media and the internet isn’t real. I am a charismatic person and I would give the shirt off my back. I’m a kid from Chicago Illinois who grew up loving hoops and blessed with the gift to play basketball. I love to bowl, I love to go fishing, I love quality time with my family, I love pets, I love my niece. I’m a young black man still trying to find my way in this world. I’m a simple black man.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Any family or friends who visit the area, I would start off the day by taking them to breakfast at Roscoe’s for their signature chicken and waffles. Growing up in Chicago, we had all kinds of chicken but chicken and waffles was a staple in my childhood. After breakfast, we would walk down Malibu to enjoy the beach, the scenery and especially the people. There is a lot of different vibes you can find in Los Angeles so I would want to them to see the things we don’t have in the Midwest.

After exploring and walking down Malibu, seeing the different outlets and shopping we would eventually make our way to Tev’s Kitchen in LA. I don’t think you could ever go wrong with soul food so I would make sure to take them there. To end the night, we would go to an amusement park to play games or to take pictures to have the memories from their visit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The first and highest shoutout is to God for giving me this chance and making the way for me to do what makes me happy. Second, I would like to give a shoutout to my parents for believing in me, giving me every opportunity, all the life lessons and advice to help me accomplish and live out my dreams. My dad is my role model who installed the importance of work ethic, consistency, has shown resiliency and worked hard day in and day out to mold me into the man I am today.

I would like to thank all my trainers, coaches, mentors, advisors and close friends who ever believed in me and shoutout to my team… Sash, thank you for believing in me and seeing the vision just how I see it, without your plans and work we would not be here.

Instagram: _zionyoung

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zion-young-4b654231b?trk=people-guest_people_search-card

Twitter: _ZionYoung

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caBHmnfEqoA

Image Credits
Elysha Samatua