Why Texas’ Tre Johnson continues to be a standout freshman in college basketball

Through 20 games, Johnson averages 19.6 points per game, while shooting 45 percent from the field.

The Texas Longhorns underwent some major transformation this offseason as they sought to replenish their roster, adding a five-star freshman and a number of key pieces via the transfer portal ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Among the notable transfers were Kansas State’s Arthur Kaluma, Oregon State’s Jordan Pope, Arkansas’s Tramon Mark and Indiana State’s Julian Larry and Jayson Kent.

Every one of those transfers plays at least 15 minutes per game and they account for six of the team’s top eight scorers this season.

However, not one of those experienced transfers has been the face of head coach Rodney Terry’s program this season. Instead, that distinction has gone to five-star guard Tre Johnson, who has been one of the best freshmen in the country this season.

Through 20 games, Johnson averages 19.6 points per game, while shooting 45 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from three.

The freshman has especially shot the ball well at home, scoring 20.1 points per game on 48.2 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from deep.

Johnson has been the epitome of consistency this season, scoring double figures in all but one game this season. That has propelled Texas to a 15-7 record in arguably the toughest basketball conference this season. The Longhorns currently have a 4-5 conference record, with defeats to Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, Texas A&M and Ole Miss, who were all ranked at the time of the games.

Most recently, they blew by LSU 89-58 when Johnson scored 18 points and dished out five assists in the victory, leading all teams in both categories.

While the Longhorns aren’t a Top 25 team at the moment, Johnson’s play as the star of a clear SEC power has propelled him into the national conversation as a potential All-American this season.

Now, Texas’ record will be key for that, as he’ll face some stout competition from other freshmen and more experienced players, but Johnson has the making for a late-season push to bump both him and the Longhorns into an opportunity in the NCAA Tournament.

As a 6’6’’, 190-pound three-level scoring guard, the freshman has proven to be a high-volume scorer, thanks to a very smooth jumper that should help him hear his name called early in the 2025 NBA Draft later this summer, should he declare as expected.

Key games on the national scale are still to come, as the Longhorns have a rough two-game stretch at home, facing off against top-five Alabama before turning around to host the top-15 Kentucky Wildcats in back-to-back contests.

With two ranked wins on the season already, those Quad 1 opportunities will be huge for Texas and Johnson, who struggled in a number of the team’s losses this year, shooting 40 percent or under against Texas A&M, Auburn, Florida and Ole Miss.

If the Longhorns are to pick things up and finish out SEC play, they’re going to need their bevy of transfers to step up. But, it’s also time for Johnson to finish out the year strong, cementing himself as one of the best players in college basketball ahead of March Madness.