Trae Young

Rayford Trae Young Bio

Rayford Trae Young is an American professional basketball player who currently serves as a point guard for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed “Ice Trae,” Young has established himself as one of the premier floor generals in professional basketball since entering the league in 2018. He is a four-time NBA All-Star, the 2025 NBA assists leader, and a two-time All-NBA selection who has led his teams to multiple playoff appearances throughout his career. Young began his professional journey with the Atlanta Hawks after being drafted fifth overall in 2018, where he became the face of the franchise and guided them to an Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 2021 before being traded to Washington in January 2026.

Early Life and Background

Young was born on September 19, 1998, in Lubbock, Texas. His father, Rayford Young, played basketball at Texas Tech and enjoyed a professional career in Europe, which exposed Trae to the sport at an early age. His mother, Candice Young, also played a significant role in his development. Young has a younger brother and two younger sisters, and he also has an uncle who played college basketball in the NAIA. Due to his father’s professional basketball career overseas, Young was raised in Pampa, Texas, by his mother and paternal grandparents during his formative years.

Young attended Norman North High School in Norman, Oklahoma, where he developed into one of the most prolific scorers in high school basketball history. During his sophomore year, he averaged 25 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds per game, helping his team win the 2015 area championship and earning Oklahoma’s Sophomore of the Year honors. His junior year saw significant improvement as he averaged 34.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, leading the team to a 28-4 record and a regional title while placing second in the 2016 Oklahoma Class 6A championship game.

Path to Professional Basketball

During his senior year at Norman North High School, Young elevated his game to extraordinary levels, averaging 42.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while shooting at an impressive 48.9% rate from the field. His exceptional performance drew national attention and made him one of the most sought-after recruits in the country. Major recruiting services including Scout.com, Rivals.com, and ESPN all considered him among the best players in the 2017 recruiting class, with ESPN ranking him as the second-best point guard prospect and the other services ranking him third. On February 16, 2017, Young committed to the University of Oklahoma, becoming the school’s first five-star recruit since Tiny Gallon in 2010.

Rayford Trae Young Career

College Career (2017-2018)

Young’s lone season at the University of Oklahoma proved to be historic. In his college debut on November 12, 2017, he recorded 15 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds in a win over Omaha. His performance continued to escalate, and on November 26, he scored a season-high 43 points with seven assists in a 90-80 victory over Oregon, drawing immediate comparisons to Stephen Curry due to his shooting range and playing style. On December 19, Young tied the then-NCAA single-game assists record with 22 while also recording 26 points in a 105-68 win against Northwestern State.

Throughout the 2017-18 season, Young’s stock rose dramatically, transforming from a late first-round or second-round draft prospect into a potential top-three selection. He led the country in several key statistical categories including assists (271), points (848), points per game (27.4), assists per game (8.7), and assist percentage (48.6%). The 848 points he scored in Big 12 play broke the conference’s record for most points scored by a freshman, previously held by Kevin Durant and Michael Beasley. Most remarkably, Young became the only player in NCAA history to lead the nation in both points and assists in a single season. His accolades included the Wayman Tisdale Award for National Freshman of the Year, Big 12 Freshman of the Year, and consensus first-team All-American honors.

Atlanta Hawks Era (2018-2026)

Young was selected with the fifth overall pick by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2018 NBA Draft, but his draft night took an unexpected turn when he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks on draft day. The Hawks acquired Young along with a protected future first-round pick in exchange for the draft rights to Luka Dončić, creating one of the most significant draft-day trades in recent NBA history. Young officially signed with Atlanta on July 1, 2018, and quickly showcased his scoring and playmaking abilities. In just his third regular-season game, he posted 35 points and 11 assists in a victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Young’s rookie season was highlighted by numerous explosive performances, including a career-high 49 points with 16 assists in a quadruple-overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls on March 1, 2019. He joined Dončić as unanimous selections to the 2019 NBA All-Rookie First Team, validating both players’ elite potential. The 2019-20 season marked Young’s first All-Star selection as a backcourt starter, and he elevated his game to new heights, scoring a career-high 50 points against the Miami Heat on February 20, 2020. He also became the first player in NBA history to lead the league in total points and assists in a single season during the 2021-22 campaign, joining Tiny Archibald in that exclusive club.

The 2020-21 season represented Young’s most successful playoff run as a Hawk. He made his playoff debut memorable by posting 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists with a game-winning floater in Game 1 against the New York Knicks. Young continued his dominant play throughout the playoffs, including a 39-point performance in Game 5 against the Philadelphia 76ers that featured a 26-point comeback victory. In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, he delivered a playoff career-high 48 points with 11 assists and seven rebounds, though the Hawks ultimately fell short in the series.

On August 3, 2021, Young agreed to a five-year max extension with the Hawks worth $172 million. The following seasons saw continued high-level production, including a career-high 56 points against the Portland Trail Blazers in January 2022. His partnership with newly acquired Dejounte Murray beginning in the 2022-23 season added another dimension to Atlanta’s backcourt. On November 27, 2024, Young recorded 20 points and a career-high 22 assists in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, and on December 6, he became the first player in NBA history to record 30-plus points, 20-plus assists, and 5-plus three-pointers in a single game during an overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Driving Style and Strengths

Young’s offensive arsenal centers on his exceptional shooting range extending well beyond the three-point line, drawing frequent comparisons to Stephen Curry for his ability to score from anywhere on the court. His playmaking vision ranks among the best in the league, enabling him to orchestrate offenses and create scoring opportunities for teammates with pinpoint passing. His handle and ability to create separation allow him to operate effectively in pick-and-roll situations, while his basketball IQ helps him make quick decisions under pressure. Defensively, critics have noted areas for improvement, though his offensive contributions consistently outweigh any defensive concerns at the professional level.

Notable Events and Milestones

Throughout his Atlanta tenure, Young accumulated several signature performances and franchise records. He surpassed Mookie Blaylock in February 2024 to become the Hawks’ all-time leader in three-pointers made. His ability to deliver in clutch moments became a defining characteristic, with multiple game-winning shots against various opponents. The 2021 playoff run remains his career highlight, particularly his 48-point performance in the Eastern Conference Finals opener that demonstrated his ability to perform on the sport’s biggest stage.

Rayford Trae Young Career Wins

Young has established himself as one of the most prolific scorers and playmakers in NBA history through his first eight professional seasons. His individual accolades include four NBA All-Star selections, All-NBA Third Team honors in 2022, NBA All-Rookie First Team recognition in 2019, and the 2025 NBA assists leader title. His college career produced the Wayman Tisdale Award, NCAA scoring championship, and NCAA assists leadership, making him the only player to lead the NCAA in both categories in the same season.

NBA Highlights

Throughout his NBA career with the Hawks, Young accumulated numerous 30-point and 40-point performances, including multiple 50-point games. He became just the second player in NBA history to lead the league in total points and assists in a single season during the 2021-22 campaign. His 2024-25 season saw him lead the NBA in assists per game with a career-high 11.6 average and set a franchise record with 880 total assists. Young’s playoff performances have featured multiple 30-point and 10-assist games, including his 2021 playoff run that saw him score 48 points in the Conference Finals opener against Milwaukee.

Other Achievements

Before his professional career, Young’s high school career at Norman North produced record-setting scoring performances, and his freshman season at Oklahoma produced historic NCAA achievements. His performance with USA Basketball at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 Championship added international experience to his resume. The combination of his high school, college, and professional accomplishments places him among the most decorated players of his generation.

Rayford Trae Young Family

Family Background and Basketball Lineage

Young comes from a basketball family with strong athletic roots. His father, Rayford Young, played collegiately at Texas Tech and enjoyed a professional career playing overseas in Europe, passing down both his passion and knowledge for the game. His mother, Candice Young, played an instrumental role in raising Young and supporting his development as an athlete. The basketball bloodline continues through his uncle, who played college basketball at the NAIA level, and his father continues to influence young players through coaching and mentorship roles.

Personal Life

Young began dating Shelby Miller in 2017, and the couple married on July 22, 2023, after a 19-month engagement. They share two children together: a son born in June 2022 and a daughter born in November 2023. Young has spoken publicly about his Christian faith, which serves as an important foundation in his life. Beyond basketball, he has shown commitment to philanthropy and community involvement, including serving as an Honorary Board Member at The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital in Oklahoma City since August 2019. In November 2023, his hometown honored him by naming a street Trae Young Drive outside the Young Family Athletic Center. Young was featured in the second season of the Young Hollywood original docu-series Rookie on the Rise, documenting his first NBA season.

2025 Season Performance

The 2024-25 season represented one of Young’s most statistically impressive campaigns despite the Hawks’ inconsistent team results. He finished the season leading the NBA in assists per game with a career-high 11.6 average while also setting a franchise record for total assists in a season with 880. His offensive output remained exceptional throughout the season, with multiple 30-point and 20-assist performances that placed him in rare company alongside legendary players like Oscar Robertson and John Stockton. Young’s ability to create for himself and others at an elite level solidified his reputation as one of the league’s premier point guards.

On October 29, 2025, Young suffered a significant injury when teammate Mouhmed Gueye fell into his leg after being shoved by Nets forward Noah Clowney during a game against Brooklyn. He was subsequently diagnosed with a sprained MCL in his right knee and ruled out for at least four weeks, causing him to miss 22 games. He returned on December 18, 2025, recording eight points and 10 assists in a loss to the Charlotte Hornets. The injury and subsequent recovery represented a challenging period, but Young’s resilience and determination to return to form remained evident as he worked his way back into the rotation.