The Phenomenal College Career of Trae Young

Before Trae Young became a prominent point guard in the NBA, he was a standout player at the University of Oklahoma. His single season with the Sooners was record-breaking, making him a must-watch talent and leading the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance after a 14-2 start. This article delves into Young's remarkable college stats and the impact he had on college basketball.

A Historic Season at Oklahoma

Trae Young achieved a feat unmatched in NCAA history: leading the nation in both points and assists during his freshman season. This accomplishment underscores his exceptional talent and versatility as a player. Matt Norlander of CBS Sports recognized Young's impact, ranking him among the biggest stars in college basketball over the past 25 years. Norlander emphasized that Young's unique achievement as a freshman made him an obvious choice for the list.

Early Season Dominance

The Oklahoma Sooners started the season strong with a 14-2 record, largely fueled by Young's outstanding performances. His ability to score and create opportunities for his teammates made him a dynamic offensive force.

Continued Production Amidst Challenges

Despite the team's struggles in the latter half of the season, Young maintained his high level of play, consistently putting up impressive numbers. His efforts ensured that the Sooners secured a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

The "Trae Young Effect"

Young's popularity transcended team allegiances. ESPN frequently displayed his statistics during other games and even cut into live broadcasts to showcase his highlights. While this level of attention generated some controversy, it also highlighted his undeniable star power and the excitement he brought to college basketball.

Read also: Independent Study Courses

Statistical Highlights from His Freshman Year

Young's freshman season was filled with remarkable statistical achievements that solidified his status as one of the top players in the country.

Leading the Nation

Trae Young concluded his regular season as the NCAA leader in multiple statistical categories:

Total Assists: 271
Total Points: 848
Points Per Game: 27.4
Assists Per Game: 8.7
Assist Percentage: 48.6%

Individual Game Records

Young's individual game performances were equally impressive:

November 26: Season-high 43 points and seven assists in a 90-80 win over Oregon, drawing comparisons to Stephen Curry.
December 19: Tied the NCAA single-game assists record with 22, while also scoring 26 points in a 105-68 victory against Northwestern State.
January 13: Season-high 43 points, along with 11 rebounds and seven assists, in a 102-97 overtime win against TCU.

Accolades and Recognition

Young's outstanding performance earned him numerous awards and accolades:

Wayman Tisdale Award: National Freshman of the Year (USBWA)
Big 12 Freshman of the Year
All-Big 12 First Team
Consensus All-American First Team

He also joined Deandre Ayton and Marvin Bagley III as one of the first consensus All-American First-Team to have three freshman players be named there.

Read also: Unveiling the Scholarship

NBA Draft and Transition to the Pros

Young's outstanding college performance propelled him into the conversation as a top NBA prospect. His draft stock rose throughout the season, with many analysts projecting him as a lottery pick.

Draft Day Trade

Trae Young was drafted by the Dallas Mavericks with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. However, he was immediately traded to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Luka Dončić and a future first-round pick.

All-Rookie Honors

In his first season with the Hawks, Young made an immediate impact. He earned unanimous selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2019, alongside Luka Dončić.

Continued Success in the NBA

Since joining the Atlanta Hawks, Trae Young has continued to develop into one of the league's premier point guards. His scoring ability, playmaking skills, and leadership have made him a cornerstone of the Hawks franchise.

Early Career Highlights

October 24, 2019: Scored 38 points in a 117-110 season-opening win against the Detroit Pistons.
November 29, 2019: Scored 49 points, including 21 points in the fourth quarter, in an overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers.
January 23, 2020: Selected as an NBA All-Star starter.
January 26, 2020: Recorded 45 points and 14 assists in a 152-133 win against the Washington Wizards.
February 20, 2020: Scored a career-high 50 points against the Miami Heat

Playoff Success

April 15, 2022: Logged 38 points and 9 assists in a play-in tournament win over the Cleveland Cavaliers to secure the No. 8 seed in the NBA playoffs.

Recent Achievements

February 26, 2023: Hit a buzzer-beating, game-winning jumpshot in a 129-127 win over the Brooklyn Nets.
April 7, 2023: Set a then-career-high 20 assists in an overtime loss against the Philadelphia 76ers.
December 23, 2023: Recorded 30 points and 13 assists 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 25, 2024: Had 38 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and four steals in a win over the Charlotte Hornets, joining Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to have back-to-back games with at least 30 points and 10 assists to start a season.
November 27, 2024: Had 20 points and a career-high 22 assists in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
December 6, 2024: Put up 31 points and 20 assists, alongside a game-winning three-pointer, in an overtime win over the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming the first player in NBA history to have a game with 30-plus points, 20-plus assists and 5-plus three-pointers.
January 7, 2025: Made a half-court game-winning three-point heave at the buzzer to lift Atlanta over the Utah Jazz, capping off a 24-point, 20-assist performance.

Trade to the Wizards

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

Read also: Service-Driven Education at BYU

tags: #trae #young #college #stats