With the draft lottery in the books, the NBA rookie class of 2025 now turns to the combine to show off their skills for their prospective teams.
Top-5 projected pick Tre Johnson, who shined at Texas two years after winning a historic state championship with Lake Highlands, partook in the combine festivities and showed why he’s expected to go at the top of the first round.
Good day for Tre Johnson at the NBA draft combine. Tested well, hit 68% of his aggregate jumpers in drills, and measured a 6’10 wingspan and 37 1/2 inch vertical leap.
NBA teams are increasingly talking about him as a safe pick, with significant long-term upside to grow into. pic.twitter.com/LSsa93if9F
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 14, 2025
Mavericks
Johnson was made available to the media after the workout and was asked about why he thinks he’ll be effective in the NBA, and about his hometown Mavericks landing the No. 1 pick in the draft.
Hear from Johnson below.
Related:Cooper Flagg talks reaction to lottery, pressures of being No. 1 at NBA draft combine
On watching the draft lottery unfold…
“It was amazing, actually. Just being a kid from Dallas watching them get No. 1, that’s good for them.”
On the possibility of being drafted to a rebuilding team like Charlotte, Washington, Utah…
“As a person that wants to win, for sure I could just be a part of an organization that wasn’t winning before I got there, and starts to win, shows signs in that direction when I get there.”
On the teams he’s met with at the combine…
“Chicago, Toronto, Dallas, Charlotte and Boston.”
Khaman Maluach, from rear left, and Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper and Tre Johnson participate in the 2025 NBA basketball draft combine in Chicago, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)(Nam Y. Huh / AP)
On what it was like to meet with the hometown Mavericks…
“It was [surreal]. They do have the top pick, but just meeting with them and being a kid growing up watching the team, being a fan. It was crazy, for sure.”
On the support he’s received from then-Texas coach Rodney Terry…
“It means a lot, just that he believed in me, even before I got the opportunity [to go to the NBA]. It just shows the love and support he has for me.”
On how he became such an effective shooter…
“I think it’s more of a mental thing, just being able to do the same thing over and over. I think that’s all it really is. Guys know how to make shots but if you can do the same thing mentally over and over to make the shot, that’s really all there is to it.”
What about being able to shoot off the dribble?
“That’s something I still gotta work on.”
An underrated part of his game…
“I think my passing. Me being able to score, that’s gonna put the defense out of position. It just makes it easier for me to see the reads, if you’re out of position then you’re leaving some area. Somebody’s open.”
On favorite NBA players he tries to emulate…
“Well my favorite player is Kevin Durant, but guys I like to add to my game are guys like SGA [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] and Devin Booker. Booker, the way he scores in like, minimum dribbles. His footwork to come off screens, how he plays off the ball, the way he scores in rhythm coming off of screens without having to dribble.”
On what he looks forward to the most about being in the NBA…
“Just competing with the best players in the world every night, that’s probably the biggest thing.”
Cooper Flagg talks reaction to lottery, pressures of being No. 1 at NBA draft combine
Flagg participated fully in Day 1 of the combine and displayed the physical attributes that make him a standout prospect.
Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving offers glimpse into ACL rehab process on social media
The star guard suffered a season-ending torn left ACL against the Sacramento Kings on March 3.
Find more Texas coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.