Club 520 Podcast: Trae Young on Being NYC’s Villain, Ben Simmons, and Hoop Stories with Jeff Teague

Air Date: September 15, 2025
Hosts: Jeff Teague (“Young Nacho”), DJ Wells, Bishop B Henn, Freaky Mike
Special Guest: Trae Young

Overview

This lively episode of Club 520 goes on-location in Norman, Oklahoma for an in-depth sitdown with Atlanta Hawks superstar Trae Young. Hosts Jeff Teague, DJ Wells, Bishop B Henn, and Freaky Mike chop it up with Trae about his rise from Oklahoma hoops prodigy to New York playoff villain, building his own legacy in the NBA, NCAA highlights, the “Ben Simmons play,” reflections on NIL and youth basketball, and hilarious insider moments from Teague and Young’s time as Hawk teammates. The conversation is packed with candid stories, playful banter, and serious discussions about the state of basketball, confidence, criticism, and giving back.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

Trae Young’s Oklahoma Roots and High School Journey

[06:12 – 13:05]

• Staying Local: Trae stuck with Norman North High School despite AAU and national prep powerhouse offers, emphasizing community loyalty.
  • “I ended up feeling like I didn’t need to leave to go be a McDonald’s All-American… I knew if I stayed here and it worked out, I’d have a lot more love staying home.” – Trae Young [07:17]
• AAU Struggles to Success: Early losses playing up in age, eventual dominance as his squad matured.
  • “Our 17 year just felt so easy… we just felt like we could win no matter who we played.” – Trae [08:53]
• State Finals Heartbreak: Tales of local legend status, the pain of a last-second loss, and city memories
  • “We played them ten times—we’re winning nine. You know what I’m saying? But they’ll hold onto that one forever.” – Trae [10:22]

When Did Trae Know He Was “Nice”?

[13:05 – 14:44]

• Trae stays humble, says he doesn’t even think that way, sometimes has to “pinch himself” after big performances.
  • “Some stuff I do in the game… it’s like pinch-me moments. I don’t get too excited—I’m just in the moment.” – Trae [13:05]
• The guys push him to admit it was different walking into Madison Square Garden for the playoffs, becoming a villain.

Villain in New York & Embracing the Role

[36:30 – 38:48]

• The Origin: NY fans chanting “F--- you, Trae Young” during playoffs.
  • “First quarter, 10 minutes to go, the whole crowd started chanting like ‘F you’ … you just embrace it.” – Trae [36:52]
• On the Energy:
  • “When I walk around the city, I get a lot of love. … They say all these things on camera, but when they see me in person, it’s different.” – Trae [37:28]

Choosing Oklahoma Over Blue Bloods

[16:40 – 19:05]

• Kansas (with Devonte’ Graham potentially leaving) and Kentucky were serious options; ultimate decision to stay home.
  • “If Devontae would’ve left … I probably would’ve went to Kansas just because I wanted to be in a blue blood.” – Trae [16:45]
  • “My numbers may not have looked the same.” – Trae [18:03]

Historic College Run

[18:28 – 21:48]

• Comparing legendary freshman years: KD, Melo, Beasley.
  • “Your college freshman year is one of the top of all time … you, KD, Beas, AD, y’all all right there.” – Bishop [18:31]
• On gaining trust and freedom from Coach Kruger, adjusting to a green light.
• Favorite matchups: Dominating TCU, toughest against Landry Shamet’s Wichita State.

Transition to the NBA

[28:11 – 29:51]

• “I like to say it took me a minute to get adjusted.” – Trae [28:20], but his rookie numbers (20 & 8) suggest otherwise.
  • “In my mind, I should’ve been doing this sh-- my rookie year.” [29:00]
• Discusses the evolving Hawks roster and his own rapid rise.

Jeff Teague and Trae Young: Teammate Chemistry

[29:51 – 32:56] | [24:01 – 25:26, flashbacks]

• Trae respected Jeff as a veteran, learned lessons even from informal conversations.
  • “Even if he didn’t mean to give me advice … I was able to pick his brain.” – Trae [30:00]
• Teague shares stories of adapting to being the vet, supporting Trae, and not being a “hater.”
  • “He a star … I watched him play … Atlanta got one, it’s over with.” – Teague [24:48]

Perennial Overlooked Status and All-Star Snubs

[34:14 – 35:37], [66:55 – 67:35]

• “Why do you think that is, though, bro? You can talk your sh-- on here, Charge.” – Freaky Mike [34:14]
• Trae credits his preference for “letting his game do the talking.”
  • “When it comes to boosting myself … I’d rather let my game do the talking and let everybody else speak for me.” – Trae [34:30]
• Discussion of side-by-side numbers with other “name” guards:
  • “Every year, it’s an All-Star number.” – Bishop [34:27]

Draft Night, Luka Trade, and Early NBA Playoff Runs

[39:00 – 41:13]

• Trae describes a draft process where he expected to land in Orlando, then the shocking swap to Atlanta for Luka Doncic.
  • “I found out after the fourth pick … my agent tapped me and said you’re going there actually, Luka’s going to Dallas.” – Trae [39:33]
• On early playoff success and memorable moments:
  • “That itch you get when you get there … you just gotta get back to this.” – Trae [41:13]

The Ben Simmons “Play”

[45:26 – 46:19]

• Recalling his iconic defense when Ben Simmons passed up an open dunk in the playoffs:
  • “I was about to fake block it … the picture looks crazy. He said ‘I thought you were going to foul me.’” – Trae [45:57]

NIL, Youth Hoops, and Caution for the Next Generation

[53:55 – 56:18]

• Trae shares nuanced thoughts on NIL’s effect on youth basketball.
  • “If you really feel like you got a chance making the NBA … there’s no reason to be chasing this NIL bag … Some of these kids gonna ruin their careers chasing this college bag.” – Trae [54:53]
  • “High-level guys can lose focus too by this short-term money.” [56:13]
• Bishop and Mike weigh in, discussing how chasing money over fit can hurt development and confidence.

Giving Back: Foundations, Facilities, and the Young Family Athletic Center

[61:04 – 63:26]

• Trae describes building the Young Family Athletic Center as a hub for youth sports and safe space.
  • “It’s kind of like another YMCA … it has eight courts, even a hospital connected to it for injuries.” – Trae [61:09]
  • “I’m happy we got to do it.” [62:06]
• After-school programs, impact on his city, and the importance of safe spaces for youth.

Acting as a Mentor & GM: Coaching?

[48:14 – 50:53]

• Growing AAU program, mentoring young talent, serving as “GM” for his alma mater’s team, but not interested in coaching post-career.
  • “Coaching? No, I’m cool. Just being in the NBA and understanding the business … there are a lot more cons, to be honest, with coaching.” – Trae [49:19]

Off-Court: Music with Quavo and Life Outside Basketball

[63:35 – 65:18]

• Trae teases a collab track with Quavo and a major Atlanta artist, due before training camp.
  • “We made a song together, it’s hard, bro … we got a feature on it…” – Trae [63:44, 63:51]
• Camaraderie, joking about who’s a better rapper between Quavo and RJ, more Atlanta banter.

Looking Ahead – Season Optimism, Teammates, and Personal Goals

[66:03 – 67:35]

• Trae is bullish on the Hawks if healthy; high on Jalen Johnson’s All-Star ambitions.
  • “If we’re healthy, it’s going to be scary.” – Trae [66:09]
  • “Before [Jalen] got hurt, we was top 5 in the East … he’s going to have his first All-Star, and we’ll have a winning season.” – Trae [67:07]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Facing NY Crowd as Villain:
  “First quarter with 10 minutes to go, like, the whole crowd just started chanting like, ‘F you.’ … You just embrace it.” – Trae Young [36:52]

• On Staying Home for High School/College:
  “If I stayed here and it worked out, I’d have a lot more love staying home.” – Trae Young [07:17]

• Humble but Competitive:
  “I don’t really think like that… Some stuff I do in the games that haven’t been done before, it’s, like, pinch-me moments.” – Trae Young [13:05]

• Reflecting on the Luka Doncic Trade:
  “I was waiting the whole fourth pick, just looking up there like, ‘Oh, s---, I’m about to be called.’” – Trae Young [39:33]

• Caution on NIL:
  “Some of these kids gonna ruin their careers just by chasing this college bag… it ain’t about the money.” – Trae Young [54:53]

• On Ben Simmons and the Play:
  “I was about to fake block it and the picture looks crazy. He said he thought I was going to foul him, which I probably would have.” – Trae Young [45:57]

• On All-Star Election:
  “It was unreal, bro. I got announced here in Oklahoma City… I was able to be at my house and watch it with my family.” – Trae Young [44:37]

• Teague on Trae as a Rookie:
  “I was like, ‘He cold’… Atlanta got one, it’s over with. They found a superstar since Dominique.” – Jeff Teague [24:48]

Other Memorable Moments

• Bishop and Freaky Mike’s running jokes about food, local Oklahoma flavor, and the gym’s luxury.
• Camaraderie between Trae and his former teammates, playful chatter about team policies, coaching changes, and management decisions.
• Trae’s stories about family, AAU mentoring, and pride in seeing little brother’s journey.
• Talk of Atlanta strip club culture, the team’s social media mishaps (“no draws in the fit pic!”), and hilarious seat assignments at games.
• Ending on optimism: predictions of all-NBA, All-Star nods, Hawks fans’ hopes, friendly jabs about other teams.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introductions & Oklahoma Gym Talk: 04:10–06:12
• High School & AAU in Norman: 06:12–13:05
• On Being Humble, Realizing He Was Special: 13:05–14:44
• Embracing NYC Villain Role: 36:30–38:48
• College Choices and Legacy: 16:40–19:05
• Teague & Young on Team Chemistry: 29:51–32:56
• Draft and Luka Swap: 39:00–41:13
• “Ben Simmons Play” Breakdown: 45:26–46:19
• NIL and Future of Youth Hoops: 53:55–56:18
• Young Family Athletic Center: 61:04–63:26
• Music Projects with Quavo: 63:35–65:18
• Looking Ahead to the Hawks’ Season: 66:03–67:35

Final Thoughts

This episode showcases Trae Young’s authenticity and thoughtful approach to the game—balancing humility with a competitive edge, reflecting on legacy, and highlighting the importance of giving back. The chemistry with Jeff Teague and the hosts makes for a blend of deep hoops insight, locally-rooted culture, and plenty of laughs, with Trae’s perspectives likely to resonate with players, coaches, and basketball fans at all levels.