Texas freshman sensation Tre Johnson officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft on Tuesday. The former five-star recruit lived up to his billing during his debut college season, earning SEC Rookie of the Year honors while leading the Longhorns in both scoring and minutes played. At just 18 years old, Johnson was one of the youngest players in college basketball this season, yet he quickly established himself as one of its brightest stars.
Ranked No. 6 overall in the 2024 recruiting class by 247Sports, Johnson is widely projected to be a top-10 selection in the upcoming NBA Draft. He currently holds the No. 6 spot on the CBS Sports Big Board and was recently mocked to the Toronto Raptors at that same position. His high upside and polished offensive skill set have placed him firmly among the top prospects available this summer.
Despite Texas’ underwhelming 19-16 record and early NCAA Tournament exit, Johnson was a clear standout. He scored the second-most total points among all freshmen in the country, trailing only consensus No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg. His advanced metrics were also strong, as he ranked inside the top 10 among freshmen in offensive win shares and offensive box plus/minus, showcasing both his scoring impact and efficiency.
Johnson was dominant in SEC play, leading the league in scoring at 19.9 points per game. He maintained strong shooting numbers throughout the season, hitting nearly 40% from beyond the arc and starting every game for Texas. His consistent performance, even as defenses focused heavily on him, highlighted his ability to shoulder a significant offensive load.
In a recent mock draft by 247Sports’ Adam Finkelstein, Johnson was projected to go No. 5 overall to the Philadelphia 76ers. Finkelstein praised Johnson for putting up nearly 20 points per game on efficient shooting splits—43% from the field, 40% from three, and 87% from the free-throw line. Though there is still room for growth in his decision-making, Johnson’s combination of scoring, size, and efficiency bodes well for his NBA transition.
Since 2000, Johnson’s scoring average ranks 10th among freshmen from major conferences, placing him in elite company with names like Trae Young, Zion Williamson, and RJ Barrett. Most of the players ahead of him on that list were selected in the top five of their respective drafts. As the 2025 class remains wide open beyond Cooper Flagg, Johnson has a real shot to climb as high as No. 2—provided he can prove to teams that he offers more than just scoring and can thrive within a structured offensive system.
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