NBA's Most Exciting Rookie, Trae Young, Is Turning Around The Atlanta Hawks
Maxim|January/February 2019

How the NBA’s most exciting rookie is turning heads—and turning around the Hawks

Keith Gordon
NBA's Most Exciting Rookie, Trae Young, Is Turning Around The Atlanta Hawks

Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young has long been the center of attention. From his time in high school as a top-25 recruit to taking the college basketball world by storm during his one season at Oklahoma and arriving in Atlanta as the hoped-for savior of the Hawks, Young has carried a lot of responsibility on his shoulders in the brightest of spotlights.

Now partway through his rookie season, Young has given the city of Atlanta something it hasn’t had in its NBA franchise in some time: hope. We spoke to the unstoppable rookie about his ascension to the top of the basketball world and how he views his role as the centerpiece of the Hawks’ rebuilding project.

You were highly ranked coming out of high school, but quickly became the absolute must-watch player in college last year. What was that process like, and how did you get used to that level of fame and exposure so quickly?

The process in college was crazier than I ever expected. The NBA was always a lifelong dream, but everything just happened so fast it felt like it was overnight. When players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry started mentioning my name in their interviews, my whole life changed. I’ll never forget how my Instagram went from 300K to almost 1 million in a matter of weeks. I don’t think I ever got used to it. It’s still moving very fast.

How helpful or difficult was the second half of last year, when defenses started focusing so much on stopping you? Has that helped you succeed this season, as NBA teams are doing the same thing?

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January/February 2019 من Maxim.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January/February 2019 من Maxim.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من MAXIM مشاهدة الكل
150 YEARS of SUPERYACHTS STYLE
Maxim US

150 YEARS of SUPERYACHTS STYLE

Here's why Benetti's expensive-but-worth-it vessels have been favored by the beautiful people, from James Bond to Donald Trump, David Bowie and Jay-Z

time-read
5 mins  |
May - June 2024
KING of the PRANCING HORSES
Maxim US

KING of the PRANCING HORSES

The extremely sought-after Ferrari 250 series-including the sales record-setting 250 GTO-are the most valuable cars that money can buy

time-read
5 mins  |
May - June 2024
LUST for LIFE
Maxim US

LUST for LIFE

French photographer Philippe Shangti's world of lush, sometimes lurid seenes isn't always what it seems

time-read
3 mins  |
May - June 2024
A CENTURY of MOROCCAN STYLE
Maxim US

A CENTURY of MOROCCAN STYLE

The legendary La Mamounia in Marrakech unveils a multimillion-dollar renovation on the occasion of its 100th anniversary

time-read
5 mins  |
May - June 2024
SPRITZ & SPREZZATURA
Maxim US

SPRITZ & SPREZZATURA

Everything you need to know about the evolution of the spritz, which has gone beyond bitter into vibrant, refreshing and eclectic

time-read
4 mins  |
May - June 2024
APEX PREDATOR
Maxim US

APEX PREDATOR

Driving the new GT 63 supercar across the hills of Spain reveals Mercedes-AMG only made a great supercar better

time-read
4 mins  |
May - June 2024
HAPPIEST ANNIVERSARIES
Maxim US

HAPPIEST ANNIVERSARIES

When it comes to fine smokes, \"anniversario\" blends just keep getting better with time

time-read
4 mins  |
May - June 2024
THE RAZOR'S EDGE
Maxim US

THE RAZOR'S EDGE

Collectors are taking note of William Henry's nextlevel pocket knives, the ultimate in luxury cutting tools

time-read
3 mins  |
May - June 2024
LIGHTS, CAMERA ,ACTION!
Maxim US

LIGHTS, CAMERA ,ACTION!

A conversation with Emmy-winning cinematographer and director Keyan Safyari

time-read
2 mins  |
May - June 2024
ROLLIN' THUNDER
Maxim US

ROLLIN' THUNDER

Malaysia's Rollin Machine crafts a world-class tribute to the Royal Enfield Interceptor

time-read
4 mins  |
May - June 2024