Tre Johnson’s Rise to the NBA: A Childhood Dream Turned Reality

Tre Johnson’s Rise to the NBA: A Childhood Dream Turned Reality

Drew, tonight, rookie Tre Johnson returns home. He’s from Dallas, he’s got friends and family in the building. TRE’S PUTTING WORK IN! IN FRONT OF THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY! TALK ABOUT SOME HOME COOKING CHRIS! TRE JOHNSON HE’S HOME! HE’S HOME! My earliest memory is probably just going to the Rowlett Rec, Everybody was there just working out, trying to get a goal and workout. My journey started there: 24 Hour Fitness and Granger Court. Any spare minute that we had in class when we weren’t doing something related to schoolwork, he was on YouTube watching basketball. I’ve never had anybody like that before. You could tell he was very passionate about it. What made you fall in love with basketball when you were a little kid? I think just watching my dad play, seeing old tapes of him it brought joy to him, and I feel like just wanted to give it a try after seeing that, I think. They just have such a special and unique relationship. Being a coach’s kid, I think a lot of people maybe overlook that how important that was in Tre’s upbringing and development as a basketball player and I think Tre’s father did a really good job of that with Tre of just always trying to push him to get better and improve, but, at the same time, still developing his love for the game and they were just always in the gym. Right before I’m about to go home, they’ll be working out for, like, 45 minutes after practice, and they’ll just get after it, man. At that time, he was acceptant, he knew the type of work that he needed to put in, understanding that he was the best player in the country, understanding that what the type of work he had to put in not just for himself, but the team. Going from 8th to 9th grade, like, the IQ piece was definitely there Kinda throughout the course of the fall, he just kept getting better and better, really at a rapid rate, and ended up winning a starting position his freshman year. In the first regular season game, it was a home game here, he had 30 points in his debut as a freshman, and, at that point, we were like, yeah, I think he’s ready. Expectations were really high. The year before, we won thirty-plus games. Those two years before, we had made it to the third round of playoffs both times. Some big wins in the playoffs over very, very good, highly ranked teams, but just came up really short in those third-round playoff games. It was win it all, like, it was win or bust, to be honest. Really just wanted to win because, really, just for my teammates the guys that were seniors that year. I had met them when they were freshmen ’cause I was in 8th grade; my dad had just got the job there and I just met all of them. So it was kinda I won with the guys that I first came in with. I just really wanted to win state for them, being their last year. I really wasn’t worried about awards or anything like that I was just doing whatever it needed to be to win. Winning state that year was a super gratifying moment with Tre and his father. I mean, we work together, had known each other for 20 years just to see that whole process unfold and see a team come together and accomplish the ultimate goal, really gratifying. They win it and they are your 6a state champions. That hug I remember having that picture, it’s in my phone as well that hug was everything. It said a lot. Him just embracing and thanking his pops for the journey, for what he has done for him, you know, being in his corner the whole time. Like I said, being his coach for all of these years, you can tell that hug meant everything. Like, ‘Hey man, I appreciate you for pushing me.’ There’s a lot of people dribbling the ball, passing the ball in the country. This is number 1. Tre, if you would like to let the world know where you’ll be taking your incredible talents next year. Yes sir, I’ll be going to the University of Texas Hook ’em! One of the premier first-year players in the country Tre Johnson. Tre Johnson just smooth offensively. This guy’s a blast to watch. How good is this kid? Here’s Johnson right in his wheelhouse! He is different. NBA style stuff. I think it was cool that he chose to represent the state of Texas. As a coach, it was really cool to see his success, to see him lead the SEC in scoring as a freshman. You know, we all knew he was capable of doing that, but it was just kind of reassuring and just really fun to see what we got to see every day done at the next level. It just kinda gave you confidence, knowing that he’s going to continue to have success wherever he goes. I just wanted to make it to the NBA that was pretty much my main goal. I never really wavered from that or had any goals added onto that. With the 6th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards select Tre Johnson from the University of Texas. Richard, Tre said that he wore your number to honor you, to honor your legacy. Your legacy is headed to the NBA how well do you think he has honored that? I mean, he deserves it. This was my dream 30 years ago. I’d rather for him to be here than me anyway, so I’m just glad and honored to have a son that, you know, wanted to represent his father. He’s been there the whole way, and it’s like we’re both getting drafted right now. He was one of our top targets for a lot of reasons. Obviously, he’s a really good player in terms of being able to move the scoreboard and shoot, but he’s got the right work ethic and mentality. So, once we got him in our building and got a feel for him, he was someone that was top 5 on our board all season long. It was very cool to see the whole Johnson family and to see Tre, and just all of them, realize this big childhood dream of making it to the NBA. You know, I think it was special for me because I saw all of the moments of hard work in the quiet gym when they were the only ones in there it was just Dad and Tre. Him and his family are good people; they’re humble, hard-working, great people. They’re super deserving of it. It’s just an awesome feeling. This is something we’ve been working forward to for, I mean, his whole life, and just to see all that taken place was a blessing. You know, I mean, that’s the biggest that’s the best I can do it’s a blessing. You know, something we prayed on, wished for, and God made it true, made it come true for us. Where them legs at? Oh, you think it’s the hat? There we go. It’s the hat! There we go! Done. It was the hat the whole time. Tre has endeared himself to our community. He’s always been super kind to young kids and to his teammates, and community members and, so, there are a lot of people here at Lake Highlands that are pulling for Tre to see him play back here against the Dallas Mavericks at the highest level. I think just a lot of people are going to be really proud and excited for him. I know we have a really big group going to the game tonight almost 160 people, so there’s going to be some cheering for the Wizards and some cheering for Tre. YES! YEAH! TRE JOHNSON HE’S HOME! HE’S HOME! Drew, tonight, rookie Tre Johnson returns home. He’s from Dallas, he’s got friends and family in the building. I got my Wizards shirt, I’m ready for it. I’m assuming he’ll see us up in the stands because I think the whole team’s going; there’s a lot of us going. The community here is very supportive of him. And here is Tre Johnson, checking in for Kyshawn George, the Dallas native. YEAH TRE! YEAH! Obviously, you know, probably has some nerves, which is natural. You know, if I had anything to say to him, it would be like, ‘Hey man, just play the game like you’ve always been playing ever since you was yay high’ Tre just steps into that three Tre Day it’s your world, we’re just living in it. Johnson, off glass scores. Kick out to Tre. Tre’s putting work in in front of friends and family. Talk about some home cooking, Chris! Back home in Dallas, rookie. Tre, excellent shot good feed by George. Johnson trying to get downhill on Klay Thompson fallaway J… oh, nice! Good move. Good move. Tre Johnson as Washington wins by 10 on the road in Dallas. YEAH TRE! YEAH ROOK! Tell ’em where you’re from, Tre! Great road win! Tell ’em where you’re from! It’s a great road win, boss man. Tell ’em where you’re from, Tre! 214! What’s up, Jamari? Proud of you. You did a great job. That was fun. It was. We had about 400 people out here for you. A lot of Lake Highlands Proud of you Tre.

Episode 2 of ULTRA Access takes you inside Tre Johnson’s basketball journey — from his early love for the game to his rise as one of the nation’s top prospects.

Go behind the scenes as Tre and his inner circle reflect on the challenges that shaped him, the grind that led to a state championship, and the moment he committed to the University of Texas. Now, it all comes full circle with his homecoming game in Dallas against the Mavericks — taking the court in front of family and friends.

🎥 Presented by Michelob ULTRA

#nba #basketball #washingtonwizards

0:00 Intro
0:43 Tre’s earliest memories in Garland, TX
01:09 How Tre fell in love with basketball
02:02 Tre’s transition into high school
03:14 Winning the 2023 Texas 6A State Championship
03:53 Tre’s Decision on the University of Texas
04:53 NBA Draft
05:30 First Day in Washington D.C.
06:53 Tre’s homecoming game in Dallas

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