Broncs Mourn Laurence Young

The Rider University basketball family is mourning the tragic loss of Laurence Young '04, who passed away this weekend at the age of 30.

Young played in 105 games for the Broncs, compiling 755 points, 319 rebounds and 148 assists.

"The news of Laurence's death has deeply saddened and shocked the Rider basketball family," said Rider Director of Athletics Don Harnum, who recruited and coached Young at Rider. "He was a good player for us, but an even better human being."

A Communication major, Young fulfilled his post-Rider ambition of playing professionally overseas.

In Brazil, he played for the team named Santos. He scored 20 points in his final game, October 20, before being admitted to a hospital with a dental infection. His condition worsened and he died November 6.

"Laurence was extremely popular on campus and in the community," Harnum said, "and was loved and respected by his teammates and coaches."

Affectingly known as "Boog", Young came to Rider from Hope High School in Providence, Rhode Island, where he graduated in 1999 as a Second Team All-State selection, twice earning First Team All-Division honors. At Hope, he averaged 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists per game.

His best year at Rider was his junior season, 2002-03, when he started all 28 games and averaged 10.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

As a freshman, he scored his first collegiate points on a two-handed dunk and became an immediate fan favorite. He was Rider's Rookie of the Year in 2000-01.

As a sophomore, he led the Broncs in three-point field goal percentage and was second on the team in three-pointers made.

As a junior, he scored 20 points in a game at Iona, grabbed 10 rebounds at Saint Peter's and made five three-point field goals in a win over Coppin State.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family," Harnum said. "He will be missed."

Arrangements will be announced at a later date.

-ru-