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Tre Norman’s Path To Success At Marquette

Image Credit: Latino Sports

NEW YORK, NY — Tre Norman was all about the business Tuesday morning as he and five of his teammates were stationed on the court of Madison Square Garden representing Marquette Men’s Basketball for Big East Media Day alongside Golden Eagles head coach Shaka Smart. 

With a new College Hoops season soon to officially tip off across the nation, the six-four guard out of Boston, Massachusetts, a product of Worcester Academy, has been counting down the days for his junior campaign to commence. 

Tre Norman has to put in the work on and off the court this offseason in preparation for his junior campaign at Marquette – Image Credit: Marquette Men’s Basketball

Yet in many aspects, his third collegiate season already started when you hear of his work ethic, and overwhelming desire to be great, both on and off the hardwood.

“He just continues to grow as a man and as a person,” stated the 48-year-old Smart, revealing that Norman has continued to push forward in progressing his game by reading, writing, and journaling what comes to mind during his everyday life as a student-athlete which can translate to on the court success. 

“I’ve been really pleased with how he’s taken to our book club program,” Smart went on further. “We don’t really try to force it on the guys, but the guys that are really interested in reading, we try to put books in front of them. And he’s really devoured that and learned a lot about himself. He was the first guy on our team to fill up a whole journal with his thoughts, which was pretty cool. So I think one thing that’s been really cool is his willingness to connect his growth as a person with his growth as a player.” 

Marquette head coach Shaka Smart speaking to the press at Big East Basketball Media Day at Madison Square Garden – Image Credit: Latino Sports

With Puerto Rican roots from his father’s side as his grandmother was born and raised in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico, Norman’s pursuit for excellence should come as no surprise. 

“It’s helped me a lot,” Norman said of his daily journaling and reading. “I’m a thinker and my mind runs a lot. Sometimes it’s a curse, but it’s really a big blessing. Reading and picking up on different knowledge, and just journaling and writing down stuff gives me a chance to free my brain and just give me more clarity on the court. So I feel like that’s the biggest way for me off the court. Reading and journaling has helped me so I can have more clarity on the court so my mind’s not running, I can just focus in.” 

Not something you hear of much in this day of the NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) era. 

Tre Norman’s interest in journaling and reading caught Marquette head coach Shaka Smart and his coaching staff by surprise this offseason – Image Credit: Marquette Men’s Basketball

“I think clarity of mind is required, and if he (Norman) and his teammates can gain that in any moment, that gives us a chance to be our best in that moment,” Smart noted. 

“I think the more experience you get, the more you learn what goes into that and what you can do to create that clarity.”

Shining light on his Puerto Rican heritage, Norman, a proud Boricua, emphasized the importance in representing his own and putting on for his loved ones—those who helped guide him to where he is today as well as youngsters who admire him. 

“I love the culture over there (in Puerto Rico) and I’m just trying to go back as much as I can,” he said. “I know for my Abuela and my family on that side, it means the world to them. They watch a lot of my games and come to a lot of them when we go to Providence or are on the East Coast. They’re always there and it’s just always a blessing to put on. I got little cousins who look up to me and things of that nature, so it’s always a blessing to put on for them too.” 

“My father sacrificed a lot, he drove me to a lot of AAU games, a lot of tournaments, hours and hours away. He spent a lot of money. We used to fundraise to go to tournaments. My mother was just always putting my name out there, spending time with me on and off the court, and giving me the confidence to be who I am today.” 

With his junior season set to begin, Tre Norman could be seeing much more playing time as Marquette lost two key point guards in back-to-back seasons (Tyler Kolek in 2024 and Kam Jones in 2025) – Image Credit: Marquette Men’s Basketball

Despite not seeing much action in his first two campaigns at Marquette, averaging less than 10 minutes played per game across 68 of 71 contests (34 in each season)—Norman was able to pick up valuable learning lessons from dominant pro-guards Tyler Kolek and Kam Jones, two former Golden Eagles who were each selected early in the second round of the last two NBA Drafts—Kolek in 2024 by the Trail Blazers (traded to Knicks) and Jones in 2025 by the Spurs (traded to Pacers). 

“I learned a lot about professionalism from Tyler,” Norman said. “He was really about his work, he was in the gym all day and every day consistently. Even during the season, he was playing heavy minutes and was still in the gym. There were times where we would get back from a road trip, fresh off the plane, and he would go straight to the gym to get extra shots up.” 

“And with Kam, to just have the freedom, fun, and that swagger on the court. Like it’s basketball, don’t try to be so tense. He did a really good job being himself and authentic all day and I feel like that has helped me now.” 

Tyler Kolek and Tre Norman chatting during a Marquette shoot-around in the 2023-2024 regular season – Image Credit: Marquette Men’s Basketball

Later described by Smart as a “Swiss Army knife,” who brings a lot of toughness, character and an impressive physicality as a junior, Norman views this 2025-2026 College Hoops campaign as one where he can ascend, get after it and most importantly, help contribute to Marquette returning back to the top of the Big East leaderboards. 

“Proving myself right,” he replied when asked about what he’s looking forward to this season which officially begins for the Golden Eagles on Monday, November 3rd vs. Albany. “You know, really just showing everything I’ve been working on, not even just this past off-season, but the past three years.”

“Just really showing myself that I can play at this level and put a name on for myself and help my team win.”

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