As the 2025 NBA season marches closer to tip-off, five former Texas Longhorns showcased their abilities to make an impact at the next level in this season’s summer league.
But it’s been guard Tre Johnson, the Washington Wizards’ 6th overall pick, who has dominated headlines by seeming to have effortlessly reignited the isolation shot-making and tenacity he was known for in college.
Across two summer league starts, Johnson averaged 19.5 points, displaying an ability to score at all three levels and bury contested threes with the same confidence he had during his time in Austin.
“Tre (Johnson) doesn’t have nerves,” JJ Outlaw, Washington Wizards summer league head coach, said during the post-game media availability.
Johnson fittingly produced his first highlight play just minutes into his first game against the Phoenix Suns. Collecting a steal and halting at the three-point line, Johnson flicked the ball off a defender’s leg and right back into his hands, driving in for a smooth switch-hand layup and dazzling fans with his bold improvisation.
“I cannot take credit for that,” Outlaw said during the Wizard’s post-game media availability. “That is God-given. That’s just Tre Johnson.”
The rest of the game against the Suns and the following bout against the Brooklyn Nets emphasized Johnson’s exceptional ability to hit heavily-guarded shots from both the mid-range and three-point distance.
“I feel like I really don’t see that defender there sometimes,” Johnson said during the Wizards’ post-game media availability.
While Johnson knows he’s always been a natural scorer, he now wants to focus on areas of his game he believes need work. Johnson looks to continue improving his defensive effort, a flaw commonly assigned to him throughout college and the draft process.
“That’s the main part I’m worried about,” Johnson said during the Wizards’ post-game media availability. “Scoring really comes easy to me. I just gotta be in the right spots and make the shots. I just gotta be a guard and defend.”
Johnson was not the only one getting valuable minutes in the summer league. Forwards Kadin Shedrick and Arthur Kaluma, who both signed as undrafted free agents to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers, respectively, showcased flashes of defensive prowess and post scoring in the frontcourt.
Kaluma piqued fans’ interest in a highly-efficient 12-point, two-block outing in 17 minutes against the New Orleans Pelicans, shooting 62.5% from the field and dropping two three-pointers on four attempts.
Sir’Jabari Rice and Max Abmas, who spent their 2023-24 seasons in the developmental G League, proved their NBA readiness by posting strong performances offensively.
Abmas, a guard for the Utah Jazz, averaged just under 13 points in games he played in at least 20 minutes. Rice turned heads with a 13-point, four-rebound and four-assist game at a 71.4% clip for the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, with the NBA regular season starting in late October, Johnson will likely be the only player who will get time on the court. Leaning on the intensity and fearlessness that have brought him to this point, Johnson is ready to flash his greatness and show the NBA what Texas fans already know.
