Trae Young is an American professional basketball player, four-time NBA All-Star, and one of the league’s premier point guards. Known for his extraordinary shooting range, elite playmaking, and ability to score from virtually anywhere on the court, Young has become one of basketball’s most recognizable stars. Since entering the NBA in 2018, he has consistently ranked among the league leaders in assists and scoring while earning comparisons to some of the greatest offensive guards in NBA history. His remarkable court vision, fearless shooting, and leadership have made him a franchise cornerstone throughout his professional career.
Young first captured national attention during his lone collegiate season at the University of Oklahoma, where he became the first NCAA Division I player ever to lead the nation in both scoring and assists in the same season. His historic freshman campaign earned consensus First-Team All-American honors and made him one of the most exciting prospects in the 2018 NBA Draft. Selected fifth overall by the Dallas Mavericks before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks on draft night, Young quickly established himself as one of the NBA’s brightest young superstars.
Throughout his professional career, Young has been celebrated for redefining the modern point guard position. His combination of long-range shooting, creative passing, and offensive leadership has drawn comparisons to NBA legends such as Stephen Curry and Steve Nash. Beyond basketball, he is also recognized for his philanthropy, youth initiatives, and growing business portfolio through endorsement partnerships with major global brands.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Rayford Trae Young |
| Profession | Professional Basketball Player |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Lubbock, Texas, USA |
| Date of Birth | September 19, 1998 |
| Age | 27 years (as of 2026) |
| Position | Point Guard |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| College | University of Oklahoma |
| NBA Draft | 2018, Round 1, Pick 5 |
| Current NBA Team | Washington Wizards (2026) |
Early Life and Parents
Trae Young was born Rayford Trae Young on September 19, 1998, in Lubbock, Texas. Basketball was part of his life from birth thanks to his athletic family background. His father, Rayford Young, was an accomplished basketball player at Texas Tech University before enjoying a successful professional career in France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Growing up with a father who played professionally gave Trae early exposure to elite basketball and significantly influenced his development.
His mother, Candice Young, has been equally influential, supporting his athletic and academic development throughout childhood. Trae frequently credits both parents for keeping him grounded despite his rapid rise to fame. His family remains closely involved in his career, with his father serving as one of his advisors throughout his NBA journey.
Young also grew up alongside three siblings: a younger brother, Timothy Young, and two younger sisters, Caitlyn Young and Camryn Young. Athletics run throughout the family, and the Young household has long emphasized discipline, education, and hard work. In recognition of the family’s contributions to Oklahoma athletics, the Young Family Athletic Center opened in Norman in 2024, and the road leading to it was officially named Trae Young Drive.
Education
Trae attended Norman North High School in Norman, Oklahoma, where he quickly emerged as one of America’s top high school basketball prospects. During his senior season, he averaged over 42 points per game and earned numerous national honors, including McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand Classic participant, and Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year in both 2016 and 2017.
Following graduation, Young committed to the University of Oklahoma. In his only collegiate season (2017–18), he averaged 27.4 points and 8.7 assists per game, becoming the only player in NCAA Division I history to lead the nation in both categories during the same season. His spectacular freshman year earned him consensus First-Team All-American honors before declaring for the NBA Draft.
NBA Career
Young entered the 2018 NBA Draft as one of the most highly anticipated prospects. He was selected fifth overall by the Dallas Mavericks before being traded on draft night to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Luka Dončić’s draft rights and a future first-round pick—one of the most discussed trades in modern NBA history.
Young immediately became the centerpiece of Atlanta’s rebuilding efforts. He earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in 2019 before rapidly developing into one of the league’s elite offensive players. His breakout came during the 2020–21 season, when he led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals, defeating the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers before losing to the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks. His playoff performances established him as one of basketball’s premier clutch performers.
Over the following seasons, Young accumulated multiple NBA All-Star selections, an All-NBA Third Team honor, and consistently ranked among league leaders in assists. His ability to score from long distance while creating opportunities for teammates has made him one of the NBA’s most dynamic offensive players.
According to current ESPN and NBA records, Young is now a member of the Washington Wizards, continuing his career after eight seasons with the Atlanta Hawks.
ESPN Profile
Trae Young has long been one of ESPN’s most closely followed NBA stars. The network regularly features him in player rankings, playoff analysis, and national broadcasts. His ESPN player profile highlights his achievements, including:
- Four-time NBA All-Star
- All-NBA Third Team selection
- NBA All-Rookie First Team
- NCAA scoring and assists leader
- Consensus First-Team All-American at Oklahoma
ESPN also recognizes Young as one of the league’s elite playmakers, regularly ranking among NBA leaders in assists and offensive production.
Playing Style
Young is widely considered one of the NBA’s most creative offensive players. His game combines exceptional passing vision, deep three-point shooting, outstanding ball handling, and elite pick-and-roll decision-making. His offensive style has often drawn comparisons to Stephen Curry for his shooting range and Steve Nash for his passing ability. Despite not being among the league’s tallest guards, Young consistently creates scoring opportunities through speed, basketball IQ, and exceptional court awareness.
Awards and Achievements
During his career, Trae Young has accumulated numerous individual honors, including:
- Multiple NBA All-Star selections
- All-NBA Third Team
- NBA All-Rookie First Team
- NBA Cup All-Tournament Team
- Consensus First-Team All-American
- Wayman Tisdale National Freshman of the Year
- McDonald’s All-American
- Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year
- Gold medalist with USA Basketball U18 National Team
These accomplishments have established him as one of the premier guards of his generation.
Trae Young Age
Trae Young is 27 years old as of 2026. He was born on September 19, 1998, in Lubbock, Texas, United States of America. He celebrates his birthday each year on September 19.
Trae Young Wife
Trae Young is married to Shelby Miller Young. The couple began dating during high school in Oklahoma and maintained a long-term relationship throughout Young’s rise from college basketball to NBA superstardom. They became engaged in 2021 and were married in July 2023 in a private ceremony attended by family and friends. Their relationship is often highlighted as one of the NBA’s longest-lasting partnerships, having endured throughout Young’s basketball journey.
Children
Trae and Shelby are parents to two children:
- Tydus Reign Young
- Teal Young
Young frequently shares family moments and has spoken about how fatherhood has changed his perspective both on and off the basketball court.
Trae Young Height
Trae Young stands 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) tall and weighs approximately 164 pounds (74 kilograms). Despite being smaller than many NBA guards, his skill, speed, and shooting ability have allowed him to become one of the league’s most productive players.
Endorsements and Business Ventures
Off the court, Young has built an impressive commercial portfolio through endorsement agreements with Adidas, BODYARMOR, Old Spice, Chips Ahoy!, and several other major brands. Adidas has released multiple signature Trae Young basketball shoes, which have become popular among players and fans worldwide. In addition to endorsements, Young supports charitable initiatives through the Trae Young Family Foundation, focusing on education, youth development, and healthcare in Oklahoma and beyond.
Trae Young Salary
Young remains among the NBA’s highest-paid point guards. Following his move to Washington, reports indicate he agreed to a four-year contract worth approximately $212 million, with annual earnings exceeding $50 million under the deal.
Trae Young Net Worth
As of 2026, Trae Young’s estimated net worth is approximately $80 million. His wealth comes from NBA contracts, endorsement deals, investments, licensing agreements, and business ventures. With continued elite-level earnings and commercial partnerships, his net worth is expected to continue growing throughout his playing career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Trae Young?
Trae Young is an American professional basketball player and four-time NBA All-Star known for his elite scoring and playmaking abilities.
How old is Trae Young?
He is 27 years old, having been born on September 19, 1998.
Who are Trae Young’s parents?
His parents are Rayford Young, a former professional basketball player, and Candice Young.
Who is Trae Young’s wife?
He is married to Shelby Miller Young.
How tall is Trae Young?
He stands 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) tall.
What is Trae Young’s net worth?
His estimated net worth is around $80 million as of 2026.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.