Oklahoma Sooners legend and current Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young is making a significant impact on his alma mater by accepting a role as the assistant general manager of Oklahoma men’s basketball. Young also announced a $1 million donation to the program, reinforcing his dedication to the Sooners as they navigate the evolving college basketball landscape.
Young shared the news on NBA Today, stating, “I’m excited to announce that I’m accepting a role with OU basketball in being an assistant GM, as well as making a million-dollar donation to help kick-start this whole thing. Being from Norman and playing there, obviously, it’s exciting times. And I’m looking forward to being in this new role.”
This move makes Young only the second active NBA player to take on a front-office role with his former college, following in the footsteps of Steph Curry at Davidson. His new responsibilities will include assisting with roster management, player development, and NIL initiatives to help attract top talent through high school recruiting and the transfer portal.
Young emphasized how much the college basketball landscape has changed in recent years, particularly with NIL and the transfer portal reshaping how programs build their rosters. “The game has changed,” Young said. “With NIL in college basketball, I think it’s a perfect time for guys to be more involved with the schools that made them who they were. I know, for someone like Steph and me, we represent our schools off the court and in the locker rooms and talk trash all the time. So now, to be able to represent even more, it’s going to be more special.”
As a former Oklahoma superstar, Young is well-positioned to help the Sooners reach new heights. During his lone season in Norman (2017-18), he was the NCAA scoring champion, the nation’s assists leader, a First-Team All-Big 12 selection, and a consensus First-Team All-American. His success led him to be the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft before being traded to Atlanta, where he has since become a four-time All-Star.
Oklahoma, under head coach Porter Moser, finished the 2024-25 season with a 20-14 record and made an NCAA Tournament appearance. With Young’s influence in recruiting and financial backing, the Sooners hope to take the next step toward national prominence.
Young’s hiring is not only a major win for Oklahoma basketball but also a sign of the growing trend of NBA players reinvesting in their college programs. His leadership and commitment could help push the Sooners toward sustained success in the ever-changing world of college athletics.
