Atlanta Hawks star point guard Trae Young reacted Friday to the news longtime Houston Rockets scout BJ Johnson passed away on Thursday evening.

Young paid tribute to Johnson on his Instagram story, thanking Johnson for helping him develop throughout his career and encouraging Young to play with confidence.

Johnson died tragically in a bike accident when he hit a culvert, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Johnson's wife, Claudette, said medical officials believe he broke his neck from the fall.

The longtime Rockets scout has a storied history in H-Town. Johnson joined the organization prior to the 1994-95 season, which also marked the second of Houston's back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995. He had been with the organization ever since, scouting both college and pro players.

News of Johnson's death hit the NBA community hard, and Young was particularly devastated.

The NBA community has lost some beloved persons in 2020, as Young was also shaken up following the death of his idol and mentor, Kobe Bryant, in January.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray appearing at an airport with bags packed and a plane ticket in hand

Fabian Diego Miguel de la Paz ·

Young will undoubtedly carry Johnson's lessons forward as he continues to develop as one of the top guards in the league.

The 22-year-old was named an All-Star in his second season, averaging 29.6 points, 9.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds while cementing his status as a franchise cornerstone in Atlanta.

Young also became more efficient from the perimeter in his sophomore season, shooting 36.1 percent from beyond the arc on 9.5 attempts per game.

The Hawks are hoping to take the next step as a team, and another leap from Young could help make them a dark horse playoff contender next year.