Five-Star Plus+ SG Tre Johnson signs NIL deal with Panini America

Five-Star Plus+ shooting guard Tre Johnson has signed an exclusive, multi-year NIL deal with Panini America. Panini America is the NBA’s exclusive trading card partner and Johnson is the first high school athlete to sign with the brand.

“It’s always been a dream to have my own trading card, and now through my partnership with Panini, it’s happening,” Johnson said in a statement. “I’m excited for my first basketball trading cards and can’t wait to keep working together on more fun projects.”

Johnson recently transferred from Lake Highlands High School in Dallas to Link Academy in Branson, Missouri.

The rising high school senior signed with LIFT Sports Management for NIL representation last week. LIFT Sports Management launched in 2020. NBA veteran Mike Miller serves as the agency’s president.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, who played at Duke for one season, is also a client of LIFT Sports Management.

“This is a milestone for Panini America, and Tre Johnson will be an excellent partner for our brand,” Panini America Senior Vice President of Marketing and Athlete Relations Jason Howarth said in a statement. “Not only is he one of the best basketball players in the country, but he’s an athlete from our backyard and someone we have had our eye on. We are excited to support Tre and help him grow as he continues to progress in his basketball career.”

Johnson is currently ranked as the No. 3 prospect and the No. 1 shooting guard in the 2024 recruiting class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. On3 ranks Johnson second in his class.

He’s listed a 6-foot-5 and 180 pounds. The only prospects who receive Five-Star Plus+ designation are those who receive five-star status from the four major recruiting services. There are currently only nine Five-Star Plus+ recruits in the 2024 recruiting class.

Tre Johnson’s NIL profile

Tre Johnson has an On3 NIL Valuation of $532,000. That ranks No. 91 in the On3 NIL 100 and No. 11 among current boys high school basketball players.

Johnson has more than 26,000 Instagram followers.

On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) currently gives Baylor a 31.8% chance of landing a commitment from Johnson. The programs with the next-best chances are Texas (27.8%), Kansas (18.0%) and Kentucky (15.0%).

Johnson released his top six last month, which included Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky. He told On3’s Joe Tipton he isn’t in a rush to commit, but he is aiming to make a decision before EYBL’s Peach Jam in July.

He recently earned a spot on the 2023 USA Men’s U19 National Team. Thirty players were invited to training camp in June to compete for 12 roster spots. The team is competing in the 2023 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup, which is scheduled from June 24 through July 2.