Tre Johnson can be second-best one-and-done in Texas basketball history behind KD | Golden

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Tre Johnson is just passing through.

If things continue at this pace, he will be an NBA lottery pick this summer.

But while the Texas men’s basketball freshman guard is here, it’s an opportunity to make a little bit of history even if it appears it will be a short stay.

Texas freshman Tre Johnson could follow a line of one-and-done Longhorns hoopers that includes Kevin Durant and Jarrett Allen.

When Johnson electrified Moody Center with his 22-point second-half outburst in Saturday’s 70-69 upset of No. 13 Texas A&M, it gave the fan base renewed hope. Maybe the Horns can navigate this SEC gantlet and make it to the NCAA Tournament, despite starting conference play at 0-3 for the first time since the 2013 team that finished 16-18 under Rick Barnes.

“We’re figuring out ways to win games and that’s really all it means,” Johnson said. “Just sticking together and keep defending and trying to rebound and just the will to want to win. I feel like that’s what we’ve been, that’s what we needed, and we’re starting to get that and learn how to win games.”

Johnson doesn’t say much at this early stage in his career — he turns 19 in March — but there’s the sense that he is embracing the responsibility that comes with being the go-to guy on this club. That doesn’t just mean on offense (he isn’t bashful about shooting the rock), but it means playing both ends.

Coach Rodney Terry has challenged him to use his immense physical gifts on defense and to not allow any offensive struggles to affect him mentally.

Johnson has been more active on both ends but still watches too much on offense when he isn’t the focal point in scoring. A 6-foot-6 jumping jack of his build should never have just one rebound in a game. That was his board offering against the Aggies. He averages 2.7 per game and has grabbed two or fewer in 10 of Texas’ 20 contests. He has yet to top five in a game. So, there is plenty of room for improvement in that area.

Tre Johnson has scored 15 points or more in…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/tre-johnson-second-best-one-130245463.html

Author : Austin American-Statesman

Publish date : 2025-01-28 13:02:00

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