It was the type of night a high school kid can only dream of, his hometown coming together to celebrate and honor him in the most unique of ways. That it happened during All-Star Weekend was just the icing on the cake for Trae Young.
Before heading off to Cleveland to participate in his second NBA All-Star Game, Trae made a stop in his hometown of Norman, Oklahoma on Friday night, where he was the guest of honor as his high school jersey number 11 was unveiled on the wall of Norman North’s gymnasium, the first of its kind, never to be worn again.
During his time at Norman North, Trae put the school on the map. As a sophomore, he helped the Timberwolves to the 2015 Area Championship, averaging 25 points per game. The following season he led the Norman North to the 6A State Championship game as a junior, averaging 34.2 points per game. But that was just a prelude to his senior season, when he averaged a jaw dropping 42.6 points per game. He was twice selected as The Oklahoman’s Super 5 Player of the Year, named the 2016 Gatorade Player of the Year for Oklahoma and named a 2017 McDonald’s All American.
That’s why 2,000 people packed Norman North’s arena before Friday’s game against Westmoore to see the first athlete in school history to have their jersey retired.
?…Still don’t believe it!
Thank you to everybody who made tonight so special! ??#11 up forever ❄️❤️??? pic.twitter.com/qIffxcx2D6
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) February 19, 2022
He’s back home. Trae Young #OKPreps #Sooners pic.twitter.com/0eO70JinmD
— Bob Przybylo (@BPrzybylo) February 19, 2022
❤️❤️❤️ LOVE ?❣️
#11 is forever ! ❄️?? pic.twitter.com/NnwPZzS9oI
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) February 19, 2022
And it left Trae nearly speechless when it was unveiled.
“I always dreamed of having my jersey retired,” he said. “I always want to represent y’all, and I’m going to continue to represent the best I can.”
Trae is certainly doing that in the NBA. He heads off to Cleveland for his second All-Star start ranked fifth in the NBA in scoring at 27.8 points per game and fourth in assists at 9.3 per game. His Hawks currently sit 10th in the Eastern Conference, hoping to get healthy after the break and make another deep playoff run.