Trae Young on Anthony Davis & March Madness 2026

As the 2026 NCAA Tournament tips off with bracket chaos already underway, Anthony Davis is back in the March Madness conversation — not on the court this time, but through the eyes of his new Washington Wizards teammate Trae Young. In an exclusive interview with ClutchPoints, Young opened up about Davis's legendary college legacy, his own adjustment to life in Washington, and his passion for the biggest event in college basketball. With Davis a celebrated 2012 NCAA champion and March Madness 2026 already delivering upsets, the story connects two NBA stars to one of sports' most electric annual traditions.

Anthony Davis: From NCAA Champion to NBA Superstar

Before Anthony Davis became one of the most dominant big men in NBA history, he was the anchor of a Kentucky Wildcats team that steamrolled through the 2011–12 college basketball season and claimed a national championship. Davis's 2012 NCAA Tournament run remains one of the most statistically impressive performances by a freshman in tournament history. His combination of elite shot-blocking, interior scoring, and defensive presence made him virtually unguardable at the college level.

That championship pedigree carried Davis to the top of the 2012 NBA Draft, where he was selected first overall by the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans). He went on to become an eight-time NBA All-Star, cementing his place as a generational talent. Now wearing a Washington Wizards uniform, Davis brings that championship DNA to a rebuilding franchise looking to reshape its identity. You can see that star power captured in his NBA All-Star portraits, a reminder of just how decorated his career has been.

Trae Young Speaks Out: Praising a Teammate's March Madness Legacy

Trae Young's interview with ClutchPoints on March 19, 2026 shed light on how the Wizards' locker room is engaging with March Madness excitement. Young spoke warmly about Anthony Davis, referencing him as both a teammate and a 2012 NCAA champion — a distinction that carries real weight when the tournament is in full swing.

For Young, who grew up idolizing college basketball and played at the University of Oklahoma before declaring for the NBA Draft, the NCAA Tournament holds a special place. His comments about Davis reflect a genuine appreciation for what it means to win at the college level, something Young himself never achieved during his one season in Norman. The two players now share a locker room with the Wizards, giving Young a front-row seat to learn from one of the best to ever play the game.

According to the ClutchPoints exclusive, Young was candid about his admiration for Davis and the broader March Madness atmosphere, tying his own current basketball journey to the excitement surrounding the 2026 tournament.

Trae Young's Rocky Start in Washington

Young's path to the nation's capital has been anything but smooth. Traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards in January 2026, Young arrived with enormous expectations as a former All-Star and one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league. The trade marked the end of a significant era in Atlanta, where Young had been the face of the franchise and a two-time All-Star.

However, injuries have derailed his early momentum with Washington. Young has appeared in only five games for the Wizards, most recently exiting a loss to the Golden State Warriors on approximately March 16, 2026 with a quad contusion. Despite the limited sample size, his numbers have been encouraging: 15.2 points per game on an efficient 59.5% shooting clip, with 6.2 assists in just 20.8 minutes per game. Those numbers suggest that when healthy, Young can still operate at a high level and make an immediate impact on a Wizards team hungry for direction.

The quad contusion adds another layer of uncertainty to Washington's short-term plans, but the talent level Young brings — paired with Davis — gives the franchise a legitimate foundation to build upon heading into next season.

Sling TV Partnership and the 'When Underdogs Win, You Win' Promotion

Young is channeling his March Madness enthusiasm into a commercial partnership as well. He has teamed up with Sling TV for a 2026 NCAA Tournament promotion called "When Underdogs Win, You Win," a campaign that leans into one of March Madness's most beloved traditions: the upset.

The timing is perfect. No. 12 seed High Point dramatically defeated No. 5 seed Wisconsin 83-82 in the first round of the 2026 tournament, providing an instant example of the kind of bracket-busting chaos that makes March Madness must-watch television. The Sling TV campaign taps directly into that energy, rewarding fans when lower seeds topple giants — a scenario that plays out every single year without fail.

For Young, the partnership makes sense on multiple levels. His playing style — fearless, creative, willing to take on any opponent — mirrors the underdog spirit that defines March Madness at its best. And with the tournament accessible on Sling TV, the promotion positions the streaming service as a go-to destination for fans who want to catch every buzzer-beater and bracket-buster throughout the tournament.

Young's Deepening Ties to College Basketball: The Oklahoma Connection

Trae Young's investment in college basketball goes beyond nostalgia. In March 2025, Young was announced as an assistant general manager for the Oklahoma men's basketball program, taking on a role that goes well beyond a typical celebrity endorsement. He also pledged $1 million to the Oklahoma program, demonstrating a serious, long-term commitment to elevating his alma mater.

That involvement adds rich context to his March Madness commentary. When Young speaks about the NCAA Tournament, he does so as someone who is actively shaping the future of college basketball — not just a former player watching from the sideline. His dual life as an active NBA player and a behind-the-scenes figure in college athletics makes him one of the more unique voices in basketball right now.

For Oklahoma fans and college basketball observers, Young's investment signals that the program has an engaged and financially committed advocate working to bring top talent and resources to Norman. It also reflects a growing trend of NBA players maintaining strong ties to their college programs in the NIL and transfer portal era.

Why Anthony Davis and Trae Young Make the Wizards Intriguing

Washington has not been a playoff team in recent years, but the additions of Anthony Davis and Trae Young represent a genuine swing at relevance. Davis brings championship experience, All-Star credibility, and defensive versatility that few players in the league can match. Young brings one of the league's most lethal offensive skill sets — a pull-up three-point shot, elite passing vision, and the ability to create for himself and others in the pick-and-roll.

The pairing is unconventional — Davis is a traditional post presence while Young thrives in open space — but the potential for those two to complement each other is real. If Young can return healthy and Davis remains productive, Washington has a core worth watching as the offseason approaches and roster decisions loom.

For now, both players are finding common ground in their appreciation for March Madness, with Davis's 2012 title serving as a shared touchstone and Young's passion for the tournament keeping the Wizards locker room engaged during one of basketball's most electric weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Anthony Davis win a national championship in college?

Yes. Anthony Davis won the NCAA national championship in 2012 with the Kentucky Wildcats. His performance during that tournament was exceptional, and the title helped cement his status as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

When was Trae Young traded to the Washington Wizards?

Trae Young was traded from the Atlanta Hawks to the Washington Wizards in January 2026, ending his tenure as the face of the Hawks franchise.

How has Trae Young performed with Washington so far?

In five games with the Wizards, Young is averaging 15.2 points on 59.5% shooting with 6.2 assists in 20.8 minutes per game. His availability has been limited due to injury, including a quad contusion suffered in a loss to the Golden State Warriors.

What is Trae Young's Sling TV promotion for March Madness?

Young partnered with Sling TV on a March Madness 2026 campaign called "When Underdogs Win, You Win," designed to celebrate and reward fans during the first-round upsets that define the tournament's early chaos.

Is Trae Young involved with college basketball beyond playing in the NBA?

Yes. In March 2025, Young became an assistant general manager for the Oklahoma men's basketball program and pledged $1 million to support the program's development.

Conclusion

As March Madness 2026 unfolds with its trademark drama — High Point toppling Wisconsin being just the opening act — Anthony Davis's 2012 championship legacy is getting renewed attention through Trae Young's enthusiastic commentary. Young's arrival in Washington, his promotional work with Sling TV, and his deep personal investment in college basketball through Oklahoma all make him one of the most interesting figures to follow this tournament season. With Davis and Young sharing a locker room, the Wizards have two players whose basketball stories remain deeply intertwined with the magic of March — one as a champion who lived it, the other as a passionate advocate still chasing that collegiate dream.