Tre Johnson Bio
Richard Earl “Tre” Johnson III is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Dallas, Texas, native is a consensus five-star recruit who played one season of college basketball for the Texas Longhorns before entering the 2025 NBA draft, where the Washington Wizards selected him with the sixth overall pick. As a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, Johnson earned the 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year award and now begins his professional career as one of the most highly regarded young scorers in the league.
Early Life and Background
Tre Johnson was born on March 7, 2006, in Dallas, Texas, where he grew up and first developed his love for the game. He attended Lake Highlands High School in Dallas and quickly emerged as one of the most productive young scorers in the state. As a sophomore, he averaged 23.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, numbers that drew attention from college coaches and recruiting analysts.
During his junior year at Lake Highlands, Johnson continued to build his reputation as a clutch performer. He helped the Wildcats compete in the City of Palms Tournament, averaging 23 points per game, and then led the team to its first state championship since 1968. In the title game, a 55–44 win against Beaumont United High School, Johnson scored 29 points to seal the victory. He finished his junior season averaging 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game, and was named Texas Mr. Basketball.
Following his junior year, Johnson transferred to Link Academy in Branson, Missouri, to compete against top-tier national competition during his senior season. He averaged 15.5 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per contest while shooting nearly 40 percent from three-point range and 90.5 percent from the free throw line, leading the Lions to a 26–7 record. His performance at Link Academy earned him selections to the McDonald’s All-American Boys Game, the Jordan Brand Classic, and the Nike Hoop Summit in 2024.
Path to Basketball
Johnson was ranked as the top overall recruit in the 2024 class by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals, and On3 throughout much of his junior year. He held that consensus top spot until Dylan Harper passed him during the summer of 2023, but Johnson remained one of the most decorated prospects in his class. On November 15, 2023, he committed to playing college basketball for the Texas Longhorns after also considering an offer from Baylor.
Before arriving in Austin, Johnson represented the United States at the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup. He averaged 11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists across seven games, helping the American team finish fourth in the tournament. That international experience, combined with his high school accolades, prepared him for the next stage of his development at the collegiate level.
Tre Johnson Career
College Career (2024–2025)
Johnson joined the Texas Longhorns for the 2024–2025 season and immediately lived up to his billing as a top recruit. He opened the year on the Jerry West Award watch list and the Naismith College Player of the Year watch list, then made an immediate impact in his debut against Ohio State with 29 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block.
On February 26, 2025, Johnson broke Kevin Durant’s freshman single-game scoring record at Texas by pouring in 39 points in an overtime loss to Arkansas. He later delivered another signature performance in the second round of the 2025 SEC men’s basketball tournament, scoring a game-high 20 points against the No. 14 Texas A&M and hitting the go-ahead three-pointer in double overtime to push the Longhorns closer to an at-large NCAA Tournament bid. Johnson finished the season averaging 19.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 39.7 percent from beyond the arc, and he was named SEC Freshman of the Year and Second-team All-SEC.
Washington Wizards Era (2025–Present)
Johnson declared for the 2025 NBA draft after his lone season at Texas and was selected with the sixth overall pick by the Washington Wizards. He made his professional debut on October 23, 2025, in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, coming off the bench to score 16 points on 4-of-8 shooting from three-point range. That performance marked the highest scoring debut by a Wizards rookie since 1992, immediately signaling his potential to become a featured scorer at the NBA level.
As a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, Johnson joins a young Wizards core and brings a versatile perimeter skill set built around shotmaking, size, and basketball IQ. His smooth shooting stroke, ability to create off the dribble, and comfort in high-pressure moments have already drawn comparisons to some of the league’s elite scorers, and he is expected to play a meaningful role in Washington’s rotation from the start of his rookie season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Johnson is widely regarded as a polished scoring guard who excels as a perimeter shooter and shot creator. His three-point shooting, free throw efficiency, and poise in late-game situations were constants throughout his high school and college careers, and he pairs those traits with the size and length to score over smaller defenders. His ability to play on or off the ball gives coaches flexibility, and his experience as a featured scorer at every level suggests he can adapt quickly to the speed and complexity of the NBA game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Johnson’s most memorable achievements are his 39-point performance against Arkansas that broke Kevin Durant’s freshman scoring record at Texas, his game-winning three-pointer against Texas A&M in the 2025 SEC tournament, and his 16-point professional debut against Milwaukee. Earlier, he led Lake Highlands to its first state title since 1968 and earned Texas Mr. Basketball honors in 2023. Together, these moments have marked him as a player comfortable on the biggest stages.
Tre Johnson Career Wins
Johnson’s competitive résumé already includes a state championship with Lake Highlands, multiple national high school all-star selections, and individual conference recognition at the college level. While his NBA career is just beginning, his decorated amateur track record has positioned him as one of the most anticipated young scorers in the league.
High School Highlights
During his time at Lake Highlands, Johnson led the Wildcats to a state championship and was named Texas Mr. Basketball in 2023. He then transferred to Link Academy, where he guided the Lions to a 26–7 record and earned selections to the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game, the Jordan Brand Classic, and the Nike Hoop Summit. His senior-year averages of 15.5 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds underscored his all-around polish.
College and Other Performances
In his lone season at Texas, Johnson earned SEC Freshman of the Year and Second-team All-SEC honors after averaging 19.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Internationally, he represented the United States at the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, averaging 11.1 points across seven games and helping the team to a fourth-place finish.
Tre Johnson Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Basketball runs deep in Tre Johnson’s family. His father, Richard Johnson Jr., played college basketball at Baylor before transferring to Midwestern State, and he has also worked as an assistant coach at Lake Highlands. Johnson has two younger brothers, Royce Johnson and Jamari Riley, who have supported his basketball journey from the beginning.
Personal Life
Off the court, Johnson majored in Physical Culture and Sports during his time at the University of Texas. He continues to be based in the United States as he begins his professional career with the Washington Wizards, and he remains closely tied to his family in the Dallas area.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been a milestone year for Tre Johnson. He began the year by earning SEC Freshman of the Year and Second-team All-SEC honors at Texas, highlighted by his record-breaking 39-point game against Arkansas and a clutch double-overtime performance against Texas A&M in the SEC tournament. Those contributions helped Texas secure a spot in the 2025 NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament and cemented Johnson’s reputation as one of the elite freshmen in college basketball.
Following the college season, Johnson was selected sixth overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2025 NBA draft, then opened his professional career with a 16-point debut against the Milwaukee Bucks. That debut stood as the highest scoring rookie debut for the franchise since 1992 and offered an early glimpse of his scoring potential at the next level.
As the 2025–2026 NBA season unfolds, Johnson is expected to play a growing role in the Wizards’ rotation. His combination of perimeter shooting, size, and late-game composure gives Washington a long-term building block on the wing, and his early performances suggest he is well-positioned to develop into a cornerstone of the franchise’s next competitive chapter.
