Young opens up on his Hawks journey, detailing community impact, playoff highs, and his true measure of success beyond stats.
Trae Young returned to State Farm Arena this week and reflected on his eight-season tenure with the Atlanta Hawks, emphasizing effort, community impact and appreciation for the city that drafted him in 2018.
Selected fifth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, Young developed into one of the league’s premier offensive point guards during his time in Atlanta. Across 493 regular-season games with the franchise, he averaged 25.2 points and 9.8 assists per game. He earned four NBA All-Star selections, an All-NBA Team honor in 2021–22, and led the league in assists during the 2024–25 season.
Young also guided the Hawks to the 2021 Eastern Conference Finals, marking the franchise’s deepest playoff run in six seasons.
Despite those accomplishments, Young said his personal measure of success extends beyond statistics and accolades.
“For me, I just want my legacy to be remembered as somebody who always gave their — I mean, 110% like effort every time they were here,” Young said.
Young noted that his connection to Atlanta was shaped not only by team achievements but also by engagement with the local community. Throughout his tenure, he hosted annual youth initiatives and holiday events, maintaining an active presence beyond the court.
“Someone that had a big impact on the kids and youth,” Young said when describing how he hopes to be remembered.
Reflecting on his upbringing in Oklahoma, Young cited his own early exposure to NBA games as a source of inspiration.
“For me growing up in Oklahoma, like going to games and NBA games as a kid, like that being like a big outlet for me, for my dreams to feel like they could become true someday,” Young said. “So for me to have that same type of impact on the next kid, that’s what I want my legacy to be.”
Young expressed appreciation for Hawks fans, acknowledging their support during both playoff runs and rebuilding seasons.
“I just wanted the Hawks fans to know how much I love and appreciate them since day one, from getting drafted,” Young said. “Obviously the trade and things like that, but for me to come in and still find a way to make a name for myself, make a name for my team, and try to put this city on the map where people were talking about us, you can’t do that without the fans.”
Young added that the fan support remained meaningful even during challenging stretches.
“The fans showed us so much love throughout the years that I was here,” Young said. “Even the years that we were down, it felt like there was still a lot of love. So I’ve got so much love for this city and these fans.”
The Hawks recognized Young with a tribute video during his return to the arena. Though he did not play as he continues to rehabilitate a right knee MCL sprain and quadriceps contusion, Young participated in pregame activities and met with media prior to tipoff.
Young, now a member of the Washington Wizards, concluded his remarks by reiterating his appreciation for the organization and city.
“It’s just love,” Young said. “Just this genuine love from me and my family to the city and to the Ressler family.”
“It’s genuine love,” he added. “I hope that’s just the one word you can connect me with the city.”
For Young, Atlanta represents the foundation of his professional career — a chapter defined not only by production and postseason success, but by sustained effort and community connection.