The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Men’s Basketball’s Johnson named one of five finalists for the Jerry West Award
03.04.2025 | Men's Basketball
Freshman Tre Johnson is a contender for the award that recognizes the top shooting guard in men’s college basketball.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — University of Texas Men's Basketball freshman Tre Johnson has been named one of five finalists for the 2025 Jerry West Award, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame announced Tuesday. Named after Class of 1980 Hall of Famer and 1959 NCAA Final Four Most Valuable Player Jerry West, the annual honor now in its 11th year recognizes the top shooting guard in Division I men's college basketball.
In addition to Johnson, the five finalists for this year's Jerry West Award include: Caleb Love (Arizona), V.J. Edgecombe (Baylor), P.J. Haggerty (Memphis) and Chaz Lanier (Tennessee).
Fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting in both of the remaining rounds starting on Friday, March 7 at the following web site: www.hoophallawards.com. The Fan Vote will count as one committee vote during the finalist selection process.
A five-time selection as SEC Freshman of the Week this season, Johnson leads the SEC in scoring (20.6 ppg) and leads the team in minutes (33.9 mpg) while ranking second in assists (71, 2.6 apg) and tied for second in steals (25). He is looking to become just the sixth freshman in SEC history (since the 1932-33 season) to lead the league in scoring, joining Jim Nolan of Georgia Tech (1946), Bernard King of Tennessee (1975), Chris Jackson of LSU (1989), Cameron Thomas of LSU (2021) and Brandon Miller of Alabama (2023). Alabama's Mark Sears currently ranks second (19.1 ppg) in the SEC in scoring entering tonight's action.
Johnson's 20.6 ppg is the highest scoring average by a Texas player since Kevin Durant averaged 25.8 ppg in 2006-07. The last Texas player to average more than 20 ppg over a season was J'Covan Brown (20.1 ppg) in 2011-12.
Johnson has reached double figures in 26 of his 27 games played, topped the 20-point mark 12 times and eclipsed the 30-point mark three times. He is converting 39.0-percent (71-182) from three-point range and 88.3-percent (98-111) from the free throw line on the year.
Texas (16-13, 5-11 SEC) returns to action when it travels to face No. 25/nr Mississippi State later tonight. Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central at Humphrey Coliseum, and the contest will be televised nationally by SEC Network.
Later this month, the five finalists will be presented to West's family and the Hall of Fame's selection committee, where winners will be selected. The Selection Committee for the Jerry West Award is composed of top men's college basketball personnel, including media members, head coaches, sports information directors and Hall of Famers. The winners of the 2025 West Award will be presented on a to-be-determined date, along with the four other members of the Men's and Women's Starting Five.
For more information on the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Award and the latest updates, visit www.hoophallawards.com and follow @hoophallu and #WestAward on X and Instagram.
2025 Jerry West Award Finalists
|
Player |
School |
|
Caleb Love |
Arizona |
|
V.J. Edgecombe |
Baylor |
|
P.J. Haggerty |
Memphis |
|
Chaz Lanier |
Tennessee |
|
TEXAS |
