Tre Johnson’s rookie year in Washington already gave the Wizards a glimpse of what made him such a dangerous scorer at Texas. Now the former Longhorn is walking into a very different situation, and it could set him up for a real leap in year two.
The Wizards made Johnson the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, giving Texas men’s basketball its highest selection since Mo Bamba went sixth in 2018. That spot came after a lone season in Austin in which Johnson piled up eye-opening numbers: a freshman debut record with 29 points against Ohio State, a new school freshman scoring mark with 39 points, and a tie of the program record with seven 3-pointers against Arkansas.
He entered the league as one of the most polished scoring guards in the class, and he showed plenty of that as a rookie. In 60 games, Johnson averaged 12.2 points while shooting 41.9% from the field and 35.8% from three, giving Washington a young perimeter threat with real upside.
What changes now is the company he keeps. Johnson is set to share the floor with Trae Young and Anthony Davis, plus 2026 top draft choice AJ Dybantsa.
Young’s passing should create plenty of open shots for a player who can score from all three levels. Davis will draw attention inside, and Dybantsa adds another high-end shot creator defenses have to account for.
That kind of roster shift could ease the burden on Johnson. Instead of being pushed to carry the offense every night, he can settle into a role that fits his game more naturally.
If his efficiency makes the expected second-year jump, the numbers could rise fast. And as Washington chases its first playoff berth since 2021, the Garland, Texas, native has a chance to remind everyone why he was viewed as one of the top prospects in the 2025 draft class.
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