The Washington Wizards selected Texas guard Tre Johnson with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft last week. Johnson is a welcome sight to a Wizards team that finished with the second-worst record in the NBA last season at 18-64.
Second-year head coach Brian Keefe shared his thoughts on bringing Johnson into the organization.
"Really thrilled to add Tre to our group, to our organization," Keefe said during an appearance on 106.7 Fan in Washington D.C. "First of all a guy who loves basketball, who loves his craft, who is a gym rat, who works. From all that work is a guy who's obviously his shooting numbers, how he shoots the ball. A little more than that, too, is he's an underrated playmaker seeing the game. But it's really his pursuit of his craft was really drawn us, how he's really intentional about how he wants to be and how he gets better. Those are the things that stood out about Tre. We're really excited to have him."
Johnson became Texas' 20th first-round selection in program history.
"I would like to thank my family first and foremost for keeping me grounded," Johnson said after being named the SEC Freshman of the Year. "Also, I want to thank all the coaches who have coached me up to this moment and all of the trainers I've worked out with who have helped me get to this point and all of the teammates I've had who have helped me out and I've been able to take bits and pieces from their game. Different advice they've given me and it's just awesome to be here at this moment in my life."
Johnson had one of the more memorable true freshman campaigns with the Longhorns, garnering Kevin Durant comparisons in terms of program impact. The Dallas native led the SEC in scoring with 19.9 points per game on 42.7 percent shooting, including 39.7 percent from three-point range.
Here are other reactions following Johnson's big night:
"We are all so proud of you. From the first time I watched you play as a freshman I was convinced you would be an NBA Lottery pick. It was a privilege to recruit, and coach you during your year in college. Congrats to The Washington Wizards, you guys got a winner!" – Former Texas head coach Rodney Terry
"The Wizards are a young team who have missed the playoffs four straight years. They need a scorer and someone who can be instant offense and entertain that fan base. This kid is clearly that. By having Tre Johnson, this should go a long way to avoiding the level of misery they've experienced as of late." – ESPN's Stephen A. Smith
"Tre Johnson is a really good fit for Washington. They need someone who can score and make defenses react when he's open. He's the best shooter in this year's draft." – NBA Analyst David Aldridge
"One of his biggest strengths when you look at him is how well he shot the ball off the dribble. As well as off the catch, he had a 41% catch and shoot rate, that's impressive and at his size, I think pound-for-pound, he's if not the best, one of the best shooters in this draft and he can also make plays for others." – Washington Wizards General Manager Will Dawkins.
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