Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Trae Young

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Trae Young made an impact.

Trae Young, nicknamed "Ice Trae", is a professional basketball player currently playing for the Washington Wizards in the NBA. After a stellar single season at Oklahoma Sooners where he led the NCAA in both points and assists, he was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018 but traded to the Atlanta Hawks for Luka Dončić. Young earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2019 and has since become a four-time NBA All-Star. He has led the Hawks to three playoff runs, including a conference finals appearance in 2021.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2015: Norman North Area Championship

In 2015, as a sophomore at Norman North High School, Trae Young averaged 25 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds per game, helping his team win the area championship and earning him Oklahoma's Sophomore of the Year award.

2015: Hawks Last Eastern Conference Finals Appearance

In 2021, Young led the Hawks to their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2015.

2016: Norman North Regional Title

In 2016, during his junior year, Trae Young averaged 34.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, leading Norman North to a 28-4 record, a regional title, and second place in the Oklahoma Class 6A championship game.

February 16, 2017: Commitment to Oklahoma Sooners

On February 16, 2017, Trae Young committed to the Oklahoma Sooners as a five-star recruit.

2017: Trae Young's College Season

In 2017, Trae Young played college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners. During that season, he tied the NCAA Division I single-game assists record with 22.

2017: Start of 2017-18 Season

To begin the 2017-18 season, on November 12, 2017, Trae Young recorded 15 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in a win over Omaha.

June 21, 2018: Drafted by Mavericks, Traded to Hawks

On June 21, 2018, Trae Young was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the fifth overall pick but was traded to the Atlanta Hawks.

July 1, 2018: Signs with the Hawks

On July 1, 2018, Trae Young officially signed with the Atlanta Hawks.

2018: Declaration for NBA Draft

Following Oklahoma's loss in the 2018 NCAA men's basketball tournament, Trae Young declared for the 2018 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.

2018: NBA Draft and Trade

In 2018, Trae Young was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the fifth pick and then traded to the Atlanta Hawks for Luka Dončić.

February 25, 2019: Career-High 36 Points

On February 25, 2019, Trae Young scored a then-career-high 36 points and made a career-high eight three-pointers in a loss to the Houston Rockets.

October 24, 2019: Season-Opening Win

On October 24, 2019, Trae Young scored 38 points in a season-opening win against the Detroit Pistons.

2019: NBA All-Rookie First Team

In 2019, Trae Young and Luka Dončić were unanimously selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

December 23, 2020: Season-Opening Win

On December 23, 2020, Trae Young recorded 37 points, seven assists, and six rebounds in a season-opening win over the Chicago Bulls.

May 23, 2021: NBA Playoff Debut

On May 23, 2021, Trae Young made his NBA playoff debut, posting 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists, including a game-winning floater against the New York Knicks.

August 3, 2021: Five-Year Max Extension

On August 3, 2021, Trae Young agreed to a five-year max extension with the Hawks, guaranteeing $172 million and potentially reaching up to $207 million.

November 14, 2021: Season-High 42 Points

On November 14, 2021, Trae Young scored a then season-high 42 points, along with 8 rebounds and 10 assists, in a win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

2021: Hawks' Conference Finals Trip

In 2021, Trae Young led the Atlanta Hawks to the conference finals.

January 3, 2022: Career-High 56 Points

On January 3, 2022, Trae Young scored a career-high 56 points, along with 14 assists, in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

October 19, 2022: Season Opener Against Rockets

On October 19, 2022, Trae Young began his fifth NBA season with the Atlanta Hawks against the Houston Rockets, putting up 23 points and 13 assists in a 117–107 win.

2022: All-Star Game Selection

In 2022, Trae Young was selected for the NBA All-Star Game as a backcourt starter for the second time.

2022: Playoff Loss to Heat

In the 2022 NBA playoffs, the Hawks lost to the Miami Heat in five games, with Trae Young struggling in Game 1 and scoring a career playoff-low 8 points.

February 26, 2023: Game-Winning Shot Against Nets

On February 26, 2023, Trae Young scored 34 points, eight assists, two steals and hit a buzzer-beating, game-winning jump shot in a 129–127 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

November 30, 2023: Season-High 45 Points

On November 30, 2023, Trae Young scored a season-high 45 points with 14 assists in a win against the San Antonio Spurs.

December 23, 2023: Ties Oscar Robertson's Record

On December 23, 2023, Trae Young recorded 30 points and 13 assists in a loss against the Memphis Grizzlies. This marked his seventh consecutive game with at least 30 points and 10 assists, tying Oscar Robertson for the longest streak in NBA history.

February 6, 2024: Named to Third All-Star Team

On February 6, 2024, Trae Young was named to his third All-Star team as an injury replacement for Julius Randle, marking his first selection since the 2021–22 NBA season.

October 23, 2024: 30 points, 12 assists and five rebounds in a win over the Brooklyn Nets

On October 23, 2024, in the Hawks' season-opener, Trae Young recorded 30 points, 12 assists and five rebounds in a 120–116 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

January 7, 2025: Game-winning three-point shot

On January 7, 2025, Trae Young made a half-court game-winning three-point shot at the buzzer to secure a 124–121 victory for Atlanta over the Utah Jazz. He also achieved a 24-point, 20-assist performance, marking his third 20-20 game of the season.

March 31, 2025: Joined University of Oklahoma as assistant general manager

On March 31, 2025, Trae Young joined his alma mater, the University of Oklahoma, as the team's assistant general manager.

January 9, 2026: Traded to the Washington Wizards

On January 9, 2026, Trae Young was traded mid-game to the Washington Wizards in exchange for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert. This marked the end of his time with the Hawks.