The world of basketball is filled with flashy plays and game-winning shots, but sometimes, the biggest moves happen off the court. Trae Young, a player constantly in the spotlight for his performances, is now making headlines for a completely different reason. A reason that has little to do with his jumper and everything to do with his future—a future where his ambitions go beyond just the NBA.

So here’s the deal. Trae just made a big announcement. Not only has he donated a massive $1 million to his alma mater, Oklahoma University, but he’s also taken on a hands-on role. Appearing on NBA Today, Malika Andrews described the occasion as a moment that saw him join a “very, very small and exclusive fraternity.”

“I am excited to announce that I am accepting a role with OU Basketball in being an assistant GM,” he shared with Malika Andrews. How exclusive, you ask? Well, on the same level as Stephen Curry. It was just a few weeks ago that the Warriors superstar became the first active player in U.S. major professional sports to take an administrative job with an NCAA team. Steph’s position? Assistant GM.

However, let’s just say that it comes with a lot of responsibilities for ‘Ice Trae.’ In fact, this isn’t a “look, I’m giving back” moment—it’s a major career shift. Young’s responsibilities will include helping with player evaluations, both from the high school and transfer portal levels. He’ll be diving into roster management, helping negotiate contracts, and even assisting with fundraising efforts to boost the program’s support, according to Oklahoma Sooners.

Trae’s not just stepping into an office and making a few calls. This is a full-on investment in building something from the ground up, and he’s right in the middle of it all. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “But he’s still playing for the Hawks!” Yeah, and that’s what makes this so interesting. This move is a clear signal that Trae is thinking long-term. That isn’t all, though.

What we’re seeing here is part of a growing trend of players taking control—not just of their careers but of the game itself. We’ve seen LeBron, Durant, and Chris Paul carving out successful business empires. With Trae Young also joining the larger player empowerment era, we’re going to see more players move into positions of power, making decisions that will shape the sport for years to come.

If anyone needed proof that Trae’s got his eyes set on more than just the next season, this is it. And let’s be real—there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding his future in Atlanta.

“Stuck in the moment,” but what’s next for Trae Young?

We’ve all heard the rumors swirling about trades, retooling, and rebuilding, but in a recent interview, Young was crystal clear: he’s not thinking about the endgame right now. He’s focused on building up the younger guys and helping them gain confidence. “I’m so stuck in the moment right now… focusing on what they wanted me to do this year by trying to build these young guys,” he said, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

But here’s the thing: the more you listen to Trae, the more you realize how undecided he is about what comes next for him in Atlanta. “It’s hard to determine the future,” he pointed out, a note of pensiveness clear in those six words. While it’s clear that he’s fully invested in the present, that question mark about his long-term future with the Hawks still looms at large. And the 26-year-old is fully aware of it.

“I know it’s going to come. People will be asking questions here. … At the end of the year, everything else will be discussed,” he said with finality. Trae is in a season of flux—he’s leading the charge to develop young talent, but does that mean he’s setting himself up for something different in the future? Is he staying in Atlanta for the long haul, or is this just the beginning of his evolution into something much bigger?

Questions and more questions. But the bottom line? Trae Young is showing us that the future of basketball isn’t just about what happens on the court. It’s about what happens off it. And when it’s all said and done, we might just look back and realize that Trae didn’t just change the game with his skills—he changed it with his vision.