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 for the Atlanta Hawks. He played college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he set records and led the NCAA in both points and assists in a single season. Drafted fifth overall by the Dallas Mavericks in 2018, he was immediately traded to Atlanta for Luka Dončić. Young earned a unanimous selection to the 2019 NBA All-Rookie First Team and is a four-time NBA All-Star. He has led the Hawks to three playoff appearances, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2015: Area Championship and Sophomore of the Year

In 2015, during his sophomore year at Norman North High School, Trae Young helped the team win the area championship and was named Oklahoma's Sophomore of the Year.

2015: Eastern Conference Finals Appearance Since 2015

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

2016: Won gold medal at FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship

In 2016, Trae Young was a member of the U.S. men's national U18 team that won a gold medal at the FIBA Americas Under-18 Championship.

2016: Regional Title and State Runner-Up

In 2016, during his junior year, Trae Young led Norman North High School to a regional title and a second-place finish 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.

2017: Start of College Season

In 2017, Trae Young began his college basketball season with the Oklahoma Sooners, recording 15 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds in a win over Omaha on November 12.

2017: College Basketball Season

In the 2017 season, Trae Young played college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners.

March 7, 2018: Wayman Tisdale Award

On March 7, 2018, Trae Young won the Wayman Tisdale Award for National Freshman of the Year by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA).

June 21, 2018: Drafted by Dallas Mavericks and Traded to Atlanta Hawks

On June 21, 2018, Trae Young was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks and then traded to the Atlanta Hawks.

July 1, 2018: Signed with the Atlanta Hawks

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

2018: NBA Draft Declaration

Following Oklahoma's loss in the 2018 NCAA men's basketball tournament, Trae Young announced his intention to declare for the 2018 NBA draft.

2018: Potential NBA Draft Pick

Throughout the 2017-2018 season, Trae Young's performance elevated his status to a potential top-three pick for the 2018 NBA draft.

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.

August 2019: Named Honorary Board Member

In August 2019, Trae Young was named an Honorary Board Member at The Children's Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Oklahoma City.

October 24, 2019: 38 points in Season-Opening Win

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 Selection

In 2019, Trae Young was unanimously selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team along with Luka Dončić.

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.

December 23, 2020: Season-Opening Win

On December 23, 2020, Trae Young had 37 points, 7 assists, and 6 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, with a game-winning shot, lifting the Hawks to a 107–105 victory.

August 3, 2021: Max Extension with the Hawks

On August 3, 2021, Trae Young agreed to a five-year max extension with the Atlanta Hawks for 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, to lead Atlanta to a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

2021: Eastern Conference Finals Trip

In 2021, Trae Young led the Atlanta Hawks to the Eastern 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: NBA Season Debut

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

2022: Play-in Tournament and Playoffs

In 2022, Trae Young helped the Hawks secure the No. 8 seed in the NBA playoffs with a win over the Cavaliers, but the Hawks lost to the Heat in five games.

2022: 2022 NBA All-Star Game Selection

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

February 26, 2023: Game-Winning Jumpshot

On February 26, 2023, Trae Young made a buzzer-beating, game-winning jumpshot 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 Record

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

October 23, 2024: Hawks Win Against 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 heave

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