As is often the case in college hoops, it’s tough for fans to form lasting bonds with “one-and-done” stars. Just when you start to cheer for them, they’re off to the NBA. But every now and then, a few leave such a mark in their short stay that they’re remembered forever. Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey fall into that category—they lit up the court and earned a special place in their school’s history. And while those names got plenty of national buzz, one player quietly carved out his own legacy in Austin. No big headlines, no constant spotlight–just game after game of steady brilliance. He might not have made as much noise, but he’s now firmly part of Texas basketball history.

Yes, consensus five-star recruit and one of the top prospects in the 2024 class, Tre Johnson, has officially declared for the NBA Draft after just one season with the Longhorns. “This season was a roller-coaster ride,” Johnson said. “But it was a great experience, wins and losses aside. Going up against the best teams in the country. Playing at Texas was the best experience I’ve ever had, being with a great group of guys and a great coaching staff.”

It was definitely a topsy-turvy ride for Texas, which kicked off the season ranked 19th in the nation. The expectations? Sky-high. But reality didn’t quite keep pace. The Longhorns ended the year with a 6-12 record in SEC play, landing them at 13th in the standings—nowhere near the level many had predicted. Still, amid the chaos and inconsistency, one player stood out. The 19-year-old guard rose to the occasion and shone the brightest. Analysts over at the CBS Sports College Basketball podcast definitely believe it was a memorable season for Tre Johnson. In fact, they have him going pretty high on their NBA Draft board, and it’s easy to see why.

Kyle Boone had nothing but praise for Tre Johnson on the podcast. He said, “So we’re talking about Tre Johnson. One-and-done, Texas freshman. 6’6, averaged 19.9 points per game last season. That was, of course, better than anyone else in this year’s freshman class–better than Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, Ace Bailey–and he did it on pretty high efficiency….I think the development that we saw from Trey Johnson was certainly very encouraging. He has also moved into my top five.” 

Johnson’s 58% true shooting percentage and 48% field goal shooting, including 37% on 6.5 three-point attempts per game, backed up Boone’s hype. Games like his 29-point debut against Ohio State and a 28-point showing against Houston Christian showed he could dominate from day one—even against tough defensive matchups.

Compared to Cooper Flagg’s 19.2 points on 48.1% shooting or Ace Bailey’s 17.6 points with a shakier 34% from three, Johnson’s efficiency on a Texas team ranked 45th in KenPom’s adjusted efficiency stands out. Even Reed Bailey’s 17.6 points at 34.2% from deep couldn’t match Johnson’s consistency, especially in isolation plays where he averaged 1.1 points per possession (per Synergy).

There was a lot to like about Tre. The 19-year-old showed out in his lone college season, earning SEC Freshman of the Year honors and a spot on the All-SEC Second Team as well. He averaged 19.9 points per game–just ahead of Cooper Flagg’s 19.7– while also averaging 3.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He also knocked down 37% of his shots from beyond the arc. Johnson’s strong performances helped Texas sneak into the big dance. But the celebration didn’t last long. Their March Madness run came to an abrupt end with a First Four exit at the hands of Xavier.

With the NBA Combine tipping off on May 11, all eyes will be on Tre to see how he stacks up. The draft is set for June 25-26, and the buzz around him is real. A top 5 pick seems likely–but can he lock that in? That’s the big question.

Can Tre Johnson join the likes of Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper in the top 5?

Tre’s certainly making a strong case as the best prospect to come out of Texas since Kevin Durant. With Cooper Flagg, Dylan Harper, and Ace Bailey likely locked in for the top 3 picks, the real question is whether Tre can slot in at 4 or 5. His performance and potential have him in the mix, but it’ll be interesting to see how it pans out.

HoopsHype reported that a coach compared Tre Johnson to a modern-day Alec Burks—a bucket-getter, tough shot-maker, but probably a sixth man ceiling. The coach further went on to say that Johnson’s upside might be capped. Will this assessment hurt his draft stock?

HoopsHype themselves have Tre going 5th overall, while Yahoo has him at 6th. ESPN also has him going 5th, which suggests that Johnson might very well be a top 5 pick heading into the draft. The analysts at CBS have already given their seal of approval, and now it’s up to the General Managers of the franchises to make their decision about him!This year’s draft will obviously be led by the Maine Event, Cooper Flagg, but Tre could very well prove to be a smart pick for any aspiring contender. Stay tuned for more updates!