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NBA analyst projects Tre Johnson as top-five pick in 2025 NBA draft
NBA analyst projects Tre Johnson as top-five pick in 2025 NBA draft

USA Today

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • USA Today

NBA analyst projects Tre Johnson as top-five pick in 2025 NBA draft

NBA analyst projects Tre Johnson as top-five pick in 2025 NBA draft Texas Longhorns standout Tre Johnson is expected to be among the first names called at Barclays Center on June 25. As the NBA calendar turns to June, the league's spotlight shifts to the NBA Finals and the upcoming NBA Draft, where former Texas Longhorns standout Tre Johnson is expected to be among the first names called at Barclays Center on June 25. NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor, in his latest mock draft for Yahoo Sports, projects Johnson to be selected fifth overall by the Utah Jazz, describing him as a 'clutch shot-maker who can catch fire from all over the floor, drilling step-backs and off-screen jumpers with ease." O'Connor noted that Utah's league-worst 17-win season makes Johnson, a proven scoring guard, a logical fit regardless of the Jazz's current roster construction. Johnson, 19, capped his freshman season at Texas by averaging 19.9 points per game on 42.7% shooting from the field and 39.7% from three-point range, earning Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year honors. He accounted for nearly a quarter of Texas' total points and more than a third of the team's made three-pointers, showcasing both volume and efficiency as a scorer1. Johnson also broke Kevin Durant's Texas freshman scoring record with a 39-point performance against Arkansas. Measuring 6-foot-4.75 with a 6-foot-10.25 wingspan at the NBA Draft Combine, Johnson is seen as a versatile guard capable of fitting into a variety of NBA lineups. His draft range is projected between the fourth and eighth picks, with teams such as the Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, and Brooklyn Nets also in play. In a recent interview on 'The KOC Show,' Johnson expressed his willingness to adapt to any role his future team requires, whether as a primary ball-handler or a versatile shooter. 'I feel like it could go either way… whatever the team needs to win. It could also change night to night,' Johnson said. While Johnson's outside shooting is widely regarded as NBA-ready, he acknowledged that feedback from the NBA Combine emphasized finishing stronger at the rim. 'They want me to dunk more,' Johnson told O'Connor, adding that his athleticism was on display in Chicago and that he's focused on translating it into more aggressive finishes in games. Johnson's combination of scoring ability, adaptability, and work ethic has made him one of the most attractive prospects in this year's draft. He is expected to make his professional debut at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas next month, with Utah currently forecast as his likely landing spot.

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