GALEN Young, a returning import, who played for only three games for the Alaska Aces this season, is packing his bags back to the United States.

But Young won?t be leaving the Aces with a heavy heart. Instead, he is now looking at a new chapter in his career?coaching.

Alaska coach Tim Cone revealed that Young will be part of the coaching staff of a Continental Basketball Association expansion team Charlotte.

?I?m thankful for Galen,? said Cone. ?He wasn?t supposed to play anymore, but decided to suit up for us. We cannot ask for more. He hasn?t played basketball for almost two months when we tapped him as his mind was already set to coaching in the CBA.?

For Cone, Young is a smart player with a leadership quality and that will certainly make him a good coach.

?Galen caught my fancy the first time we took him in five years ago,? said Cone. ?He?s a smart player and I knew right from there he would be a good coach someday. I would like to thank him from the bottom of my heart for the things he have done for our squad.?

?He can be ranked among those great imports we had from Sean Chambers, Devin Davis, Ron Riley and Dickie Simpkins,? added Cone, who on Sunday became the winningest coach in the PBA with 602 victories in 20 years, surpassing his idol Baby Dalupan.

Gone from Young?s arsenal were is the quick first step, the hesitation move when driving down the lane and the ability to create his own shot that once made him as one of the most efficient reinforcements ever to play in the Philippine Basketball Association.

As a result, Young was replaced by another old-timer, Rosell Ellis, who quickly brought order back into the Aces? system in a 94-84 triumph over the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants Sunday night. Rey Joble