After a disappointing performance in FIBA U19 World Championship and not making to the semifinals, Team USA players were blamed for an inappropriate approach and lack of effort. It is hard to not agree with those statements if we talk about the whole team -- a humbling experience came too late for the Americans.

However, there was a one player, a 19-year-old, 6-foot-9 power forward, who took this challenge seriously from the first day of preparation. The Florida Gators’ Patric Young was not only the strongest guy on the Team USA squad, but also one of those who was most committed to winning and consistently working hard.

Despite the fact that Young didn’t produce gaudy numbers, averaging 9.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, he still made a sizable impact.

Young talked with RealGM about the recession of Team USA, impressions of the FIBA U19 World Championship, matchups with Jonas Valanciunas and future career plans.

RealGM: When it’s all done, what goes through your mind when you think about FIBA U19 World Championship?

Young: First of all, it’s really important how together your team is before you come to this tournament because you really don’t get a chance to practice, go to the gym and get some shots. It’s really important that your team would have a really good chemistry before you come to the tournament. A lot of these teams were playing together for few years. It’s really tough. You have to bring you’re ‘A’ Game.

RealGM: Would you agree that 10 days is not enough time to build and prepare a team for the World Championship?

Young: No, it’s definitely not enough.

RealGM: A lot of players rejected the offers to join Team USA U19. Why did you decide to skip school and represent your country in the World Championship?

Young: Not too many people get an opportunity to represent their country in basketball. I saw this opportunity and I thought that I definitely have to come take this opportunity and take this chance to play for my country and my team. I am really excited that I was selected and I am really grateful for that.

RealGM: I know you didn’t have a chance to see much of Europe, but what are your impressions of this overseas trip?

Young: It’s really different but I don’t think that I have got a full taste of European life because it was all about basketball. I didn’t try all the foods and we didn’t go sightseeing. It was okay because we were here because of basketball.

RealGM: Talking about basketball, did you learn anything new in World Championship?

Young: I learned that you have to give 100 percent every game and you have to come and be ready to play. I learned a lot about these European teams. There are great teams like Lithuania, Croatia. They don’t sink any bad shots; they move the ball really well. That’s what we lack in the United States. We don’t move the ball as well. They play a lot of one-on-one. They play really good basketball here in Europe.

RealGM: You said some good things about Jonas Valanciunas who was the most skilled opponent in this tournament. The word ‘fight’ cannot even describe what was happening between you both during a friendly game back in Lithuania. What are your impressions of Valanciunas so far?

Young: The referees really let us play. He is like a superstar in his own city and I had to do the best I could against him. Because I am the one guarding him, the crowd hates me. Because I am the one trying to stop him. It was a really tough game; he was getting all the calls. I think it’s not a fair assessment to judge that game. The second time we played, he was really good. He rebounds really well and he finishes in the post. He has a lot of potential. We talked at the hotel and he seems to be a really nice guy. He was telling me good luck for my game a nd I told him the same. He is a good player and I wish him the best on his career.

RealGM: Did you make any changes in your game in your second match-up against Valanciunas?

Young: I played more aggressively (laughing). I would say I played smarter. I did all the right things at the right time.

RealGM: Can you tell me your impressions of your first season in Florida?

Young: We started our season pretty rocky. I didn’t have my mind on the right [way]. I was not doing the right things for the team. I was not helping my team out there. We were struggling a little bit. We lost to Jacksonville and UCF. I am not saying that those programs are bad but we should not lose to those teams. We turned it around, we came together as a team during December and from there togehter we played really well. Unfortunately, our season ended against Butler the way it did. We didn’t come out. We had 11-point lead against them but we couldn’t hold on to them.

RealGM: Looking to the future, what do you expect from next season?

Young: I am looking forward to being with my teammates again. I miss them a lot. I talked with Scottie Wilbekin for 30 minutes yesterday. I talked to my other teammate [Will Yeguete], he’s with French national team right now and he will play in European championship soon. I talked to him for a long time. I miss all those guys. We have an opportinity to do something really special next year. We have a really good backcourt coming and I have an opportinity to step up for my team and play a really good role. A lot of people say that I have got really better, but I think that there is still room to grow.

RealGM: Talking about your growing, what do you need to improve to become an NBA lottery pick?

Young: I think things such as rebounding, offensive rebounding, running the floor, playing really good defense. If I would only do those things for a longer period of time and prove to scouts that I can do those things on the next level as well.