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 an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Washington Wizards. He is known for his exceptional college career at Oklahoma Sooners where he set records, including tying the NCAA Division I single-game assists record and leading the NCAA in both points and assists in a single season. Drafted into the NBA in 2018 by the Dallas Mavericks (and immediately traded to the Atlanta Hawks for Luka Dončić), Young was a unanimous NBA All-Rookie First Team selection in 2019 alongside Dončić. A four-time NBA All-Star, he led the Hawks to multiple playoff appearances, most notably a conference finals trip in 2021.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1966: Wilkens and Bridges Playoff Game

In game 3 of the Hawks' first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics in 2023, Trae Young joined Dejounte Murray as the first pair of Hawks teammates to each put up at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists in a playoff game since Lenny Wilkens and Bill Bridges in 1966.

2004: Chris Paul's NCAA Tournament Game

In 2004, Chris Paul was the first freshman to record similar numbers of points in an NCAA tournament game as Trae Young did against Rhode Island. On March 15, 2018, Young recorded 28 points, seven assists and five rebounds in an 83–78 overtime loss to seventh-seeded Rhode Island

2015: Area Championship and Sophomore of the Year

In 2015, during his sophomore year at Norman North High School, Trae Young averaged 25 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds per game, helping the team win the area championship. He was also named Oklahoma's Sophomore of the Year.

2015: Eastern Conference Finals Appearance

In game 7 of the conference semifinals in 2021, Trae Young put up 21 points to lead the Hawks past the 76ers en route to their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2015.

2016: Junior Year Successes

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

February 16, 2017: Commitment to Oklahoma Sooners

On February 16, 2017, Trae Young committed to play basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners. He was considered one of the best players in the 2017 recruiting class.

2017: College Basketball Season

In the 2017-2018 season with the Oklahoma Sooners, Trae Young tied the NCAA Division I single-game assists record with 22 and became the only player to lead the NCAA in both points and assists in a single season.

2017: Start of College Season

To begin the 2017-18 season, on November 12, Trae Young recorded 15 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in a win over Omaha. Three days after his college debut, he recorded 22 points and a then season-high 13 assists in a win over Ball State.

June 21, 2018: NBA Draft Selection and Trade

On June 21, 2018, Trae Young was selected with the fifth overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018 NBA draft, but was traded to the Atlanta Hawks for Luka Dončić.

July 1, 2018: Signing 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 announced his intention to forgo his final three seasons of collegiate eligibility and declare for the 2018 NBA draft.

2018: NBA Draft and Trade

In the 2018 NBA draft, Trae Young was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks as the fifth pick. Later the same day, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks along with a future first-round pick, for the draft rights to Luka Dončić.

February 25, 2019: Career-High Against Rockets

On February 25, 2019, Trae Young scored a then-career-high 36 points and made a career-high eight three-pointers in a 119–111 loss to the Houston Rockets.

October 24, 2019: Season-Opening Performance

On October 24, 2019, Trae Young scored 38 points in a 117–110 season-opening win against the Detroit Pistons.

2019: NBA All-Rookie First Team

In 2019, Trae Young joined Luka Dončić in a unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

January 23, 2020: NBA All-Star Selection

On January 23, 2020, Trae Young was selected for the NBA All-Star selection as a backcourt starter.

February 2020: Back-to-Back 40-Point Games

On March 14, 2022, Trae Young registered 46 points, 6 rebounds and 12 assists in a 122–113 win over the Trail Blazers, becoming the first player in the NBA this season to score 40-plus on back-to-back nights and the first to do so since Bradley Beal in February 2020.

December 23, 2020: Season-Opening Win

On December 23, 2020, Trae Young scored 37 points, seven assists and six rebounds, in a 124–104 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 against the New York Knicks. He capped it off with a game-winning floater with 0.9 seconds left in regulation to lift the Hawks to a 107–105 victory in game 1 of the first round.

August 3, 2021: Max Extension with Hawks

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

November 14, 2021: Season-High Points vs. Bucks

On November 14, 2021, Trae Young scored a then season-high 42 points, along with 8 rebounds and 10 assists, to lead Atlanta to a 120–100 victory over the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks.

2021: Hawks' Playoff Run

In 2021, Trae Young led the Atlanta Hawks to three playoff runs, including a trip to the conference finals.

January 3, 2022: Career-High Scoring Game

On January 3, 2022, Trae Young scored a career-high 56 points, along with 14 assists, in a 136–131 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

October 19, 2022: Season Opener Against Rockets

On October 19, 2022, Trae Young played in his first game of his fifth NBA season against the Houston Rockets, putting up 23 points and 13 assists in the 117–107 win.

2022: Play-in Tournament Win and Playoff Performance

On April 15, during the Hawks' 107–101 play-in tournament win over the Cleveland Cavaliers to secure the No. 8 seed in the 2022 NBA playoffs, Young logged 38 points and 9 assists. In game 1 of the first round against the Miami Heat, Young scored a career playoff-low 8 points on 1-for-12 shooting and had more turnovers (six) than assists (four). The Hawks would go on to lose to the Heat in five games.

2022: NBA All-Star Game Selection

On January 27, Trae Young was selected for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game once again as a backcourt starter. Also, at the conclusion of the regular season, Young became the second player in NBA history to lead the league in total points and assists in a season, joining Tiny Archibald.

February 26, 2023: Game-Winning Shot Against Nets

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

November 30, 2023: Season-High Scoring Game

On November 30, 2023, Trae Young scored a season-high 45 points with 14 assists in a 147–145 win against the San Antonio Spurs.

December 23, 2023: Consecutive 30-Point, 10-Assist Games

On December 23, 2023, Trae Young recorded 30 points and 13 assists in a 125–119 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies, marking his seventh consecutive game with at least 30 points and 10 assists, tying Oscar Robertson for the longest such streak in NBA history.

October 23, 2024: Hawks' Season-Opener

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 Shot Against Utah Jazz

On January 7, 2025, Trae Young made a half-court, game-winning three-point shot at the buzzer to lead Atlanta over the Utah Jazz 124–121, capping off a 24-point, 20-assist performance.

March 31, 2025: Young Joins University of Oklahoma as Assistant General Manager

On March 31, 2025, Trae Young became the assistant general manager for his alma mater, the University of Oklahoma.

January 9, 2026: Young Traded to Wizards

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