Tre Johnson Bio
Richard Earl “Tre” Johnson III (born March 7, 2006) is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A consensus five-star recruit, he played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns and was the 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year. Johnson was selected sixth overall by the Wizards in the 2025 NBA draft. He is widely regarded as one of the most promising young scorers in the league and brings a rare combination of size, shooting touch, and poise to the professional level.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 190 pounds, Johnson plays as a guard with a smooth perimeter game. His rapid rise from a Dallas high school standout to a top NBA draft pick in just a few years has drawn attention across the basketball world. In his first professional game, he delivered a scoring outburst that placed him in the franchise record book.
Early Life and Background
Johnson grew up in Dallas, Texas, where he was raised in a basketball family that shaped his love for the game. His father, Richard Johnson Jr., played college basketball at Baylor before transferring to Midwestern State and later became an assistant coach at Lake Highlands. Johnson has two younger brothers, Royce Johnson and Jamari Riley, who have been part of his support system throughout his development.
He attended Lake Highlands High School in Dallas, where he quickly emerged as one of the top high school players in the country. As a sophomore, Johnson averaged 23.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, showing a rare ability to score from the perimeter at a young age. During his junior year, he led the Wildcats to their first state championship since 1968, scoring 29 points in a 55–44 win over Beaumont United in the state championship game. He finished that season averaging 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists and was named Texas Mr. Basketball.
After his junior season, Johnson transferred to Link Academy in Branson, Missouri, to compete against stronger national competition. In his senior year, he averaged 15.5 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.3 rebounds while shooting nearly 40 percent from three-point range and 90.5 percent from the free throw line. He led the Lions to a 26–7 record and was selected to play in the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game, capping one of the most decorated high school careers in recent memory.
Path to Basketball
Johnson was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top-ranked players in the 2024 class, according to major recruiting services. He was ranked the top overall recruit by 247Sports, ESPN, Rivals, and On3 throughout his junior year before being surpassed by Dylan Harper during the summer of 2023. He also earned invitations to the Jordan Brand Classic and the Nike Hoop Summit in 2024, further confirming his status as an elite prospect.
On November 15, 2023, Johnson committed to play college basketball for the Texas Longhorns after also considering an offer from Baylor. Before his college career began, he represented the United States at the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, averaging 11.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in seven games as the team finished fourth. His decision to attend Texas set the stage for one of the most productive freshman seasons in program history.
Tre Johnson Career
Texas Longhorns (2024–2025)
Johnson enrolled at the University of Texas and quickly became the centerpiece of the Longhorns’ offense. He was named to the Jerry West Award watch list and the Naismith College Player of the Year watch list before the season began. In his debut game against Ohio State, Johnson produced 29 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block, signaling his readiness for the college level.
His standout moment came on February 26, 2025, when he broke Kevin Durant’s freshman single-game program record by scoring 39 points in an overtime loss to Arkansas. He followed that performance with a game-high 20 points and the go-ahead three-pointer in double overtime against No. 14 Texas A&M in the second round of the 2025 SEC men’s basketball tournament, a win that helped push Texas into the NCAA Tournament field. Johnson finished the season averaging 19.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game while shooting 39.7 percent from three-point range, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors and Second-team All-SEC recognition.
Washington Wizards (2025–Present)
Johnson declared for the 2025 NBA draft and was selected with the sixth overall pick by the Washington Wizards. The selection marked the beginning of his professional career and gave the franchise a dynamic perimeter scorer to build around. His move to the NBA came after a single college season, reflecting both his talent and the Wizards’ confidence in his long-term potential.
He made his professional debut on October 23, 2025, against the Milwaukee Bucks, coming off the bench to score 16 points on 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. The performance was the highest scoring debut by a Wizards rookie since 1992, an impressive milestone for a teenager in his first NBA appearance. Johnson is currently majoring in Physical Culture & Sports at Texas as he balances his early professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Johnson’s career has been marked by a series of record-setting performances, including breaking Kevin Durant’s freshman scoring record at Texas and delivering one of the top rookie debuts in Wizards history. His selection to the McDonald’s All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic, and Nike Hoop Summit in 2024 highlighted his status among the best high school players in the country. Each of these moments has reinforced his reputation as a generational scoring talent.
Tre Johnson Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Basketball runs deep in the Johnson family, with his father, Richard Johnson Jr., having played college basketball at Baylor before transferring to Midwestern State. He later became an assistant coach at Lake Highlands, where his oldest son starred as a teenager. The family’s basketball background has played a key role in Tre’s development, providing both guidance and a strong competitive environment from an early age.
Personal Life
Johnson has two younger brothers, Royce Johnson and Jamari Riley, who remain close to him as he begins his professional career. While focused on basketball, he has also pursued his education at Texas, where he is majoring in Physical Culture & Sports. His early life in Dallas and his tight-knit family continue to shape his grounded approach to the game.
2025 Season Performance
Johnson’s 2025 campaign unfolded on two stages, beginning with a historic freshman season at Texas and ending with his transition to the NBA. He averaged 19.9 points per game for the Longhorns, earning SEC Freshman of the Year and Second-team All-SEC honors while leading Texas into the NCAA Tournament. His 39-point performance against Arkansas stood as the defining moment of his college year and cemented his place among the program’s all-time great freshmen.
After being selected sixth overall by the Washington Wizards, Johnson opened his professional career with a 16-point debut against Milwaukee, the highest scoring rookie debut for the franchise since 1992. The strong start suggested an immediate offensive role within the team and offered an early indication of his shooting and shot-creation skills. With the season still unfolding, Johnson has positioned himself as a central figure in the Wizards’ rebuilding effort.
Looking ahead, Johnson is expected to play a growing role in Washington as he adjusts to the speed and physicality of the NBA. His shooting ability, poise, and scoring instincts have already translated from college to the professional level, giving the Wizards a foundation piece for the future. As his rookie season continues, his development will be one of the key storylines to watch for both the franchise and its fans.