Trae Young
Rayford Trae Young (Lubbock, Texas, September 19, 1998) is one of the most dynamic and polarizing point guards in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and one of the Atlanta Hawks’ main stars. Known by his nickname “Ice Trae”, he stands out for his three-point shooting range, creative playmaking, and calmness in pressure moments. Personal Information Full Name: Rayford Trae Young Date of Birth: September 19, 1998 Place of Birth: Lubbock, Texas, USA Height: 1.85 m Weight: Approximately 74 kg Position: Point Guard Current Team: Atlanta Hawks (since 2018) Early Years and High School Career Trae Young grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, and is the son of Candice and Rayford Young. His father had a basketball career, playing for Texas Tech and professionally in Europe. Young attended Norman North High School, where he quickly emerged as an offensive prodigy. In his senior year, he was widely recognized as one of the best high school basketball players in the country, participating in the prestigious McDonald’s All-American Boys Game in 2017. Collegiate Career (Oklahoma Sooners) Young chose to play college basketball for the University of Oklahoma, his hometown. His single season (2017–2018) was meteoric and historic: He became the only player in NCAA history to lead the country in points per game and assists per game in the same season. In December 2017, he tied the NCAA single-game assists record with 22. Despite an early elimination in the NCAA Tournament, his individual performance solidified him as an elite choice for the NBA Draft. Professional Career in the NBA Draft and Trade (2018) Trae Young was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 5th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. However, he was immediately involved in a historic trade with the Atlanta Hawks for Luka Dončić (selected 3rd overall) and a future first-round pick. This trade has marked the rivalry of their careers to this day. Atlanta Hawks (2018–Present) Rookie Season (2018–2019) In his rookie season, Young had an impressive start to his career, demonstrating his ability to score and create plays. He finished the season with robust averages and was unanimously named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Stardom and All-NBA From his second season, Young established himself as an All-Star. He stood out for: 2020: Participated in his first NBA All-Star Game. 2021: Led the Atlanta Hawks on a surprising playoff run, taking the team to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 50 years. Young was crucial in this campaign, starring in iconic moments. 2022: Was named to the All-NBA Team and selected again for the All-Star Game. Contract: In 2021, Young signed a five-year maximum contract extension with the Hawks, solidifying his role as the team’s franchise player. Playing Style Trae Young is often compared to stars like Stephen Curry due to his shooting range. His style is characterized by: Three-Point Shooting: Capable of hitting shots from very far away, just beyond the half-court line. Playmaking: Possesses elite court vision and is one of the league leaders in assists, being the offensive engine of his team. Defense: His size has historically been a challenge on defense, an area he has been working to improve throughout his career. Personal Life Trae Young is Christian. His father, Rayford, plays an active role in his career. He married his long-time partner, Shelby Miller, in July 2023. The couple has two children. Young uses the nickname “Ice Trae” on social media, which reflects his calm demeanor under pressure.
