Kentucky target Tre Johnson named to 2023 USA Men’s U19 National Team

Five-star guard Tre Johnson, arguably Kentucky’s top recruiting target in the rising senior class, has been named to the 2023 USA Men’s U19 National Team.

One of 30 players invited to participate in Training Camp in Colorado Springs last week, the roster was ultimately cut down to 12 after five days of competition. That group will represent USA Basketball in the 2023 FIBA U19 Men’s World Cup, scheduled for June 24-July 2 in Debrecen, Hungary.

The roster consisting of U.S. citizens born on or after January 1, 2004 was selected by the USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team Committee. Those players? Mark Armstrong, Tobe Awaka, Omaha Biliew, Kylan Boswell, Myles Colvin, Eric Dailey Jr., Dylan Harper, Ian Jackson, Tre Johnson, Ven-Allen Lubin, Asa Newell and Cody Williams. 

Johnson is the lone Kentucky target in attendance.

“It’s their culture of winning, how they’ve won in the past,” Johnson previously said of Kentucky. “… (John Calipari) will let his guards play. If somebody is able to score, he’s going to let them score. They have a record for sending guys to the league. And that’s the end goal for me, so that’s something that sticks out,” the five-star guard said of Kentucky “They bring it up, send me graphics of all the guys they’ve sent to the league.

Tad Boyle (University of Colorado) is the head coach of the 2023 USA Men’s U19 National Team, with Mike Boynton Jr. (Oklahoma State University) and Leon Rice (Boise State University) serving as assistants.

The United States will square off with Madagascar and Slovenia on June 24 and June 25, respectively, before concluding pool play versus Lebanon on June 27.  It will be the first head-to-head battles vs. Lebanon and Madagascar at a FIBA Men’s U19 World Cup, while the U.S. owns a 2-0 record against Slovenia in the event.

The U.S. has won the competition eight times, including three of the last four competitions (2015, 2019 and 2021). 

Johnson recently announced his transfer to Link Academy (Missouri), joining fellow Kentucky target Jasper Johnson in Branson for the upcoming high school season.

What will the 2024 standout be looking for in a school when it comes time to make a decision?

“A fast, uptempo school where the guards have freedom and they play defense,” he said.

Kentucky joins Baylor and Texas as perceived favorites for the five-star guard.