logo
Tre Johnson: I'm more of a playmaker than a shooter

Tre Johnson: I'm more of a playmaker than a shooter

Yahoo21-05-2025

Tre Johnson: I'm more of a playmaker than a shooter | The Kevin O'Connor Show
Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O'Connor sat down with the Texas wingman to explain how he'd describe his game and how he approaches his play on the floor. Hear the full conversation on 'The Kevin O'Connor Show' and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
View more
Video Transcript
How would you describe your game to somebody who's never watched you play?
Advertisement
Uh, I'd say.
A playmaker Also a scorer though.
I can make plays for others, but also score for myself.
It's kind of one way I describe it.
I mean, I feel like with you, like if I asked an NBA scout that would be like score, bucket getter, and you say playmaker first.
Why is that?
Uh, yeah, I can score, but I also use my scoring just to make plays cause somebody gotta help and somebody's gonna be open, so I also you just make plays.
And I feel like with you, like at Texas, your primary role was to score, but when you watch, you know, Trey Johnson at Link Academy, you see more passing, more creation for others.
Advertisement
Do you think that's fair to say with like the differential in your role and responsibilities?
Yeah, I just felt for that Link Academy team.
I had to take his job back from scoring.
And just, uh, and just.
Facilitate to help help make others better or help make others impact the game because my junior year coming back, I had, I was averaging like 20 something and then go to Lincoln average 15.
I wouldn't even shoot the same amount of shots, but I just was going was the best for the team for sure.
Who was on that Link academy team with you?
LeBaron Falan, Jasper Johnson, Jaylen Shelley, James Brown, Andredala Junior.
Advertisement
Andre Junior, all these players.
Yeah we had TJ, we had a lot of, we had a great guys.
Brandon Benjamin, we had a lot of great players.
I mean, could be a first round pick or, you know, we'll see if he goes back to Bama as well, but this week at the combine he he actually just announced he's not going back to going back.
Hen that.
I just saw that.
Wow, I mean you got like boogie Fla going to Florida.
Florida's news we're like and they hate each other.
We like each other at least so far.
Maybe in the NBA I might say something critical of you and you'll be like this guy.
Nah.
It might happen, who knows, but I mean, I love your game then like cause I think with you, like I said, you're clearly a bucket getter.
Advertisement
You're one of the best shooters in this whole draft class, if not the best with what you do off the dribble, the movement shooting, the way Texas ran you off of movement actions like clearly you're Undeniably an elite 3 point shooter, that goes without saying.
But I think the reason why teams have you like likely top 5 pick is because of all the other stuff.
It's because of the creation ability and your ability as a passer.
And so with you, I, I'm curious, like when you project your game forward.
Into the years to come in the NBA.
Like, how do you see your role, like, cause so many teams use multiple ball handlers.
Advertisement
Do you see yourself as one of those guys who's an engine of a team or like someone who's like sharing the rock and playing different roles because of your shooting ability.
Uh, I feel like I could either it could go either way.
I feel like also being used as a two way more as I get into my career for sure, but just like either way, whatever the team needs to win, it could also just change night to night.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Duke's Khaman Maluach, Maryland's Derik Queen headline list of big men in upcoming NBA draft
Duke's Khaman Maluach, Maryland's Derik Queen headline list of big men in upcoming NBA draft

San Francisco Chronicle​

time29 minutes ago

  • San Francisco Chronicle​

Duke's Khaman Maluach, Maryland's Derik Queen headline list of big men in upcoming NBA draft

Duke's Khaman Maluach anchored the interior for an elite defensive team that reached the Final Four. Maryland's Derik Queen was the offensive focal point for a team that reached the NCAA Tournament's second weekend. Those freshmen are the headliners among big men in the upcoming NBA draft. While there's a deep well of high-end guard prospects, the bigs have a smaller list and could produce Maluach and Queen as the lone lottery picks. Here's a look at the position entering Wednesday's first round: Khaman Maluach, Duke STRENGTHS: He has the length and size of an elite rim-runner who can impact games as a shot blocker and lob threat. The 7-foot-1, 253-pounder from South Sudan — he joined NBA Academy Africa in 2021 — showed ability to defend on the perimeter in Duke's switch-heavy approach and had the combine's biggest wingspan at 7-6 3/4. Maluach runs the floor well for transition potential beyond finishing those pick-and-roll chances, where he ranked in the 99th percentile by shooting 89.4% (42 of 47), according to Synergy's analytics rankings. He shot 76.6% from the foul line and made four 3s, indicators that he can develop his touch. CONCERNS: Maluach, who turns 19 in September, is a relative newcomer to the game and is still developing a raw offensive skillset. His 71.2% shooting largely came on dunks and putbacks, and he got to the line just twice per game. Taking away those in-close opportunities can blunt Maluach's impact (for now, anyway). That was on display in Duke's Final Four loss to Houston; he struggled against older and more physical players while managing six points on 1-for-2 shooting with zero rebounds in 21 minutes. Derik Queen, Maryland STRENGTHS: The 6-9, 248-pound Queen is a skilled big who averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds while ranking among Division I leaders with 15 double-doubles with his ability to score in postups or off the offensive glass. He was also a solid passer (1.9 assists) and shot 76.6% on free throws while getting to the line 6.1 times per game, indicating his willingness to attack defenders. The 20-year-old claimed his place in March Madness lore by banking in a buzzer-beating runner to beat Colorado State and reach the NCAA Sweet 16. CONCERNS: Queen isn't the biggest of bigs nor an elite defender. There's also uncertainty on how he might fare against a bigger or quicker defenders, while he must improve his range after making just 7 of 35 3-pointers (20%). He also didn't measure well at the combine; he tied for last among all players in standing vertical leap (23.5 inches) and tied for second-lowest in max vertical (28.0), as well as last or next to last in lane agility, shuttle run and three-quarter court sprint testing. Asa Newell, Georgia STRENGTHS: The five-star recruit and first-round prospect helped the Bulldogs return to the NCAAs for the first time in a decade, with the 19-year-old capable of playing as a small-ball center or power forward. His athleticism helped him thrive on the offensive glass (22nd in Division I at 3.33 rebounds per game) and as a rim finisher, along with showing potential as a versatile defender. CONCERNS: Newell needs bulk on his 6-9, 224-pound frame to handle physical, stronger opponents. He also needs to enhance his outside shot after shooting 29.2% on 3-pointers (26 of 89). Thomas Sorber, Georgetown STRENGTHS: The freshman has the frame to tussle amid bumps in the post (6-9, 263) and in traffic. He averaged 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists while shooting 53.2% overall, including 57.1% in post-up chances, according to Synergy. The first-round prospect has defensive potential with a 7-6 wingspan (tied for second-longest at the combine) that helped him average 2.0 blocks and 1.5 steals. CONCERNS: The 19-year-old must improve his 3-point shot (6 of 37, 16.2%). There was a limited sample size of 24 games before a foot injury ended his season, though the Hoyas lost seven of 10 without him to illustrate his value. Others of note: – RASHEER FLEMING: The 6-8, 232-pound junior from Saint Joseph's is a first-round prospect who averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks last year. He has a better than 7-5 wingspan, and went from shooting 31.3% on 3s in his first two seasons to 39% last year. – DANNY WOLF: The 6-11, 252-pound junior thrived in moving from Yale in the Ivy League to the Big Ten's Michigan. The first-round prospect averaged 13.2 points and 9.7 rebounds while also making 38 3s in 37 games to go with 15 double-doubles. – MAXIME RAYNAUD: Stanford's fourth-year senior from France is a skilled 7-footer who averaged 20.2 points and 10.6 rebounds while making 67 3-pointers in 35 games last year. His rangy skillset could land him late in the first round. – JOAN BERINGER: The 6-11, 230-pound Frenchman turns 19 in November and could be a first-rounder as a mobile threat working in the pick-and-roll and as a lob threat. – HANSEN YANG: The 7-1, 249-pound center from China is a potential late first-rounder with intriguing size (9-3 standing reach, nearly 7-3 wingspan, only combine player in top three in both hand length and width) to go with shooting and passing touch. He turns 20 on June 26, the day of the second round. – RYAN KALKBRENNER: The 7-1, 257-pound senior from Creighton averaged 14.5 points and 2.4 blocks while shooting 65.8% over five college seasons. He has good touch in the paint and had 49 points in a game last year (second-most in Division I) as a possible late first-rounder. – YANIC KONAN NIEDERHAUSER: The 6-11, 243-pound junior from Penn State is a likely second-rounder who ranked 12th in Division I by averaging 2.31 blocks. He had a better than 7-3 wingspan with a 37-inch max vertical leap at the combine. ___

Duke's Khaman Maluach, Maryland's Derik Queen headline list of big men in upcoming NBA draft
Duke's Khaman Maluach, Maryland's Derik Queen headline list of big men in upcoming NBA draft

Washington Post

time33 minutes ago

  • Washington Post

Duke's Khaman Maluach, Maryland's Derik Queen headline list of big men in upcoming NBA draft

Duke's Khaman Maluach anchored the interior for an elite defensive team that reached the Final Four. Maryland's Derik Queen was the offensive focal point for a team that reached the NCAA Tournament's second weekend. Those freshmen are the headliners among big men in the upcoming NBA draft. While there's a deep well of high-end guard prospects, the bigs have a smaller list and could produce Maluach and Queen as the lone lottery picks.

Boston Celtics jersey history No. 21 - Ron Bonham (1964-66)
Boston Celtics jersey history No. 21 - Ron Bonham (1964-66)

USA Today

time40 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Boston Celtics jersey history No. 21 - Ron Bonham (1964-66)

The Boston Celtics have had players suiting up in a total of 68 different jersey numbers (and have three others not part of any numerical series) since their founding at the dawn of the Basketball Association of America (BAA -- the league that would become today's NBA), worn by well over 500 players in the course of Celtics history. To commemorate the players who wore those numbers, Celtics Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team. With 25 of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Celtics to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover. And for today's article, we will continue with the ninth of nine people to wear the No. 21, Boston wing alum Ron Bonham. After ending his college career at Cincinnati, Bonham was picked up with the 18th overall selection of the 1964 NBA draft by the Celtics. The Muncie, Indiana native would play the first two seasons of his pro career with Boston before temporarily retiring from the league, winning two titles with the team in a reserve role in that stretch. During his time suiting up for the Celtics, Bonham wore only jersey No. 21 and put up 6.3 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store