City Of Norman Unveils Trae Young Drive, New Athletic Center

A basketball star from Oklahoma is leaving a permanent mark on the city he grew up in.

Normanites know him as just that: one of their own. Sunday was a celebration of everything Trae Young has given back to the city that raised him.

"Trae is a Normanite through and through," Jason Olsen, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Norman said.

The now Atlanta Hawks guard started as a Norman North Timberwolf, then became an Oklahoma Sooner.

"This city means a lot to me and I try to represent it the best that I can," Young said. "Giving back with this facility is one of the ways I can do that and show that."

The new Young Family Athletic Center facility was donated by Young along with his family.

"The things that this facility is going to open up for the city of Norman, I don't think that anyone can truly grasp what that is right now," Candice Young, Trae’s mother, said.

His parents voiced a vision of basketball tournaments and programs for Norman's kids in the new athletic center at the ceremony on Sunday.

"So the opportunity that we have to give a facility to other children and other families is something that makes my heart very happy," Candice added.

The building is also located on the newly unveiled “Trae Young Drive," near 24th Avenue and Max Westheimer Airport.

"Having this is an honor," Young said.

City leaders in attendance said this is an honor that he earned.

"My question to you is how many of those all-stars give back to their community the way Trae Young has?" Olsen said. “Not many.”