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Tonight's lottery could determine how high Tre Johnson goes in the 2025 NBA draft

by:Keenan Womack•05/12/25
Tre Johnson
Tre Johnson (Scott Wachter-Imagn Images)

The Texas Longhorns men’s basketball program, despite a lack of overwhelming tournament success, has a rich history in the top 10 of the NBA Draft. Nine Longhorns have heard their names called in the first 10 selections since 1982, when the Kansas City Kings grabbed LaSalle Thompson fifth overall. Since 2000, eight players donning the burnt orange have been high- or mid-lottery prospects, many of whom came during Rick Barnes’ star-studded tenure. 

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There are the obvious players like Kevin Durant, who went second to Seattle in 2007, and LaMarcus Aldridge, who was also a No. 2 overall pick by Chicago in 2006, though he was traded to Portland on a draft-night deal involving LSU’s Tyrus Thomas. Tristan Thompson was the fourth-overall selection in 2011, and Texas’ first-ever Naismith Player of the Year TJ Ford went eighth to Milwaukee in 2003. 

Other talented prospects like Mo Bamba (sixth overall, 2018, Orlando), Jaxson Hayes (eighth overall, 2019, Atlanta/traded to New Orleans), DJ Augustin (ninth, 2008, Charlotte), and Chris Mihm (seventh, 2000, Chicago/traded to Cleveland) also found themselves as potential franchise cornerstones when selected. Myles Turner barely missed the cut, going 11th to Indiana in 2015. 

This year, superstar guard Tre Johnson will add his name to this distinguished list of Longhorns. He is almost a surefire early-to-mid lottery pick, but the rumors at the moment are that he may be amongst the list of candidates to go as high as three, which would be Texas’ first third-overall pick and their third-highest selection ever. 

A lot of this will depend on the way tonight’s NBA Lottery shakes out. Some teams in the mix for Johnson based on need are San Antonio, Toronto, and Brooklyn, all of whom should be in the first eight or so picks according to lottery odds.

He showed off in pre-draft workouts in Santa Barbara, according to DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony: “(It’s) hard to find a more impressive prospect in a workout setting than Tre Johnson…6-foot-6 with ridiculous shot-making prowess and machine-like consistency, Johnson looked awfully impressive.” 

Most mock drafts have Johnson going near or in the top five, including CBS Sports (third), The Athletic (third), Sports Illustrated (fifth), Bleacher Report (fifth), and Tankathon (fifth). Considering his label as one of one of the class’ top shotmakers, combined with his size and motor, make him a player that could make an early impact on whichever team drafts him. 

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The NBA Lottery airs tonight at 6 p.m. on ESPN. 

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