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Moving to point guard has helped to rejuvenate Ray Young’s career.

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Ray Young is usually one of the first Bruins at practice and he is nearly always one of the last to leave.

But despite his hard work, the fifth-year senior has failed to live up to his potential during his career at UCLA – until a week ago.

Young earned the starting job at point guard after his stellar performance against Cal on Feb. 20. While he is unlikely to live up to his high school McDonald’s All-American expectations, he will continue to lead his team by example in the present.

“You never know when hard work is going to pay off,” he said. “It’s been a roller coaster with lots of ups and downs, and I’d like to end it on a good note.”

In two games starting at point guard – a home win over then-No. 18 Cal and a loss to No. 21 Stanford – Young averaged 20 points on seven-for-nine three-point shooting, and also posted nine assists and eight rebounds over the weekend. He dominated both ends of the court, and UCLA head coach Steve Lavin referred to him as “the senior of the team.”

“Ray’s been playing well,” said senior Jason Kapono, “but for some reason or another, he hasn’t been able to find his rhythm over the last (four) years.”

The past four years have been difficult for Young, but he has embraced the challenge of living up to his advanced billing.

“I wish it could have panned out better, but if I could do it again I would,” he said.

As a freshman he averaged 5.4 points and 16 minutes per game. He even shot 40 percent from the three-point line – a team-high at the time. He was touted as a promising blue-chipper for a Bruin team that was in need of back court help after losing superstar Baron Davis to the NBA.

But things did not work out as speculated. Young’s sophomore and junior seasons were disappointing as his numbers barely increased at all.

His lack of production coupled with high expectations led to UCLA crowds booing him off the court, as he made the bench a new home.

He redshirted during the 2001-2002 season to regain some lost confidence and to develop his game. A year later, he’s looking past the bad moments and forward to each practice and game.

“I wouldn’t change my situation for the world,” he said. “It’s all actually made me a better person and I enjoy it all.”

Young has matured and grown into a team leader, taking on responsibilities that no other player was willing to take.

The coaching staff, as well as Young’s teammates, have since relied on him for answers and guidance during in-game situations.

“I’m proud of his development,” Lavin said. “The way Ray has responded over the difficult and discouraging times has been admirable.”

Lavin also mentioned it would have been easy for Young to transfer or make some excuse to account for his difficulties at UCLA. But Young was always happy and excited to be a part of the team.

Young said without his teammates’ support he would never have been able to become the leader he is now.

“I see Kapono and Janou (Rubin) in the gym and they keep me going,” he said.

Young also said he would continue to get better, but his future goals are still realistic; he doesn’t envision himself as a NBA all-star.

But, as the team’s new leader, he will guide the underachieving Bruins to a less dismal finish than expected.

“I’ll always remember this run,” he said. “It will be a bright spot in my career, but I live in the moment, I live in the present. The future will take care of itself.”