NBA rookie sensation Trae Young offered some pre-draft advice to new Arizona Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury.
"If he wants to win Super Bowls, for sure take Kyler [Murray]," the Atlanta Hawks guard told ESPN in support of his Heisman Trophy-winning friend and fellow Oklahoma Sooner. "I definitely think the Cardinals should pick him."
There remains some debate on whether the Cardinals will indeed make Murray their quarterback of the future and select him with the No. 1 overall pick Thursday night. They might have to seriously consider trade offers for the coveted top spot, especially with quarterback Josh Rosen -- the 10th overall pick of last year's draft -- still on the roster. There has been talk of Rosen remaining on the roster even if Murray is selected.
Young has a unique tie to both Murray and Kingsbury. Although Young had a closer relationship at Oklahoma with former Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns, he remains in contact with Murray to this day.
"We talk every now and then,'' Young said. "We're both pretty busy. But I know Kyler. Every football game [at Oklahoma], I would be at. I'd be supporting him and Baker."
Young's connection to Kingsbury stems from his father, Rayford. The elder Young starred in basketball at Texas Tech (1996-2000) around the same time Kingsbury was a standout quarterback for the Red Raiders (1999-2002).
"I took a couple visits there, so I know Kliff," Trae Young said. "I know how good a coach he is. He's a great coach, and a better person. I know he loves his quarterbacks. He does well in teaching quarterbacks."
Young, a top-5 draft pick and candidate for NBA Rookie of the Year, said he doesn't need to offer Murray any advice on how to handle the transition to the pros.
"All I can say is, 'Don't change a thing about you,'" Young said. "Kyler's gotten to this point. I tell people all the time that he's one of the best high school players of all time, as far as championships with no losses (43-0, three state titles as starter). He's just the most decorated player that I've seen in my lifetime as far as high school and college.
"And I'm looking forward to seeing what he'll do in the pros."