"I don't know if it was a game-winner or a 3, I just did it" - Trae Young discusses origin of his "Ice Trae" celebration

On the latest episode of "Podcast P with Paul George," Trae Young explained the origin of his "Ice Trae" celebration.

Young has used the celebration since his second season in the NBA, mostly performing it after clutch plays like game-winners or daggers.

He said he came up with the move after a discussion with his friend in his basement.

"I can vividly remember being in my basement with my homie like just watching games and seeing our favorite players doing that sh*t and I was like, 'We got to come up with something.' He was like, 'Sh*t, you 'Ice Trae.' Be cold like sh*t and I remember hitting a three. I don't know if it was a game-winner or it was a three, and I just did it. I kind of ran with it. I didn't get it from nobody."

Young's celebration is similar to the one performed by Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer, sparking a debate on who used it first.

Palmer discussed how he came up with his version of the celebration in an interview with talkSPORT last month.

Interestingly, Chelsea legend Didier Drogba also performed a similar celebration many years ago. Drogba had a more dramatic version wherein he also had the facial expression on point.

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Trae Young reacts to Zaccharie Risacher, 2024 NBA Draft Class

Trae Young reacts to Zaccharie Risacher, 2024 NBA Draft Class. (Photo: IMAGN)

The Atlanta Hawks moved on from Dejounte Murray this offseason, but they also had luck on their side as they received the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft lottery. They used it to select Zaccharie Risacher.

"We haven't had the chance to really connect on the court yet. But I'm sure we will as we get into the season. (Risacher) is a talented player, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do," Young said.

Young had nothing but praise for Risacher, however, it seems like the 25-year-old guard is not expecting a lot from this year's draft class—which was not heavily praised by analysts heading into the draft.

"I mean, to be honest with you, and no disrespect to the guys that got drafted, but from the outside looking in... A lot of us look at them as role players coming in anyway... I feel like the GMs all this year are probably just trying to figure out who's going to be the best role player for their team."

Young was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the fifth pick in the 2018 draft, but was traded to Atlanta for Luka Dončić who was drafted third overall. As he enters his seventh season in the league, Young has been a three-time All-Star and has taken the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.