Paris has always been in Traroe’s heart. He first started playing basketball at age 4 for a local Paris club. As he furthered his game with other clubs over time, he was able to garner traction and was admitted to a team in the French third tier. He gradually improved his game year by year, averaging 2.2 points per game in his first year to nearly 17 points per game in his third. He wasn’t done yet though. Playing against Europe’s top under-18 clubs at the 2024 Adidas Next Generation Tournament, he scored a record 45 points on top of leading his team to victory in overtime. As a result, he received the honor of becoming the best young player in the league.
His progression turned heads and was the reason why he signed with France’s top-tier’s Saint-Quentin. He thrived against the tougher competition setting the league record for most points by a player under 18 with 25 points. Due to his success, he played against and alongside the world’s top high school hoopers in the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit, pouring in 18 points and 4 assists. He solidified his spot as one of the top prospects in his class and was projected as a lottery pick in the 2025 ESPN mock draft.
With all the hype Traore was receiving, he had been pressured to choose which powerhouse college he would play for. Renowned colleges such as Duke, Arkansas, Alabama, and Gonzaga were in the interest of the shifty French guard, but instead of going the conventional route for a prospect of his caliber, he decided to stay home in Paris.
Traore admitted to ESPN that remaining in Paris is “the best situation for me. I can play with a coach that I know, that gave me the confidence to play in the playoffs.” Considering that Traore came off the season with 10.3 points and 5.4 assists against grown men, it may not be a bad decision for him to prioritize comfort and familiarity with his surroundings. However, there are certain play areas that Traore should concentrate on as he is furthering his French basketball career.
For Traore, it wouldn’t hurt to boost up his efficiency on the field. He is inconsistent at the free throw line shooting only 61% at the line. He’s also struggling at the three-point line, only making 5 out of the 20 three-point attempts he took in the 7 games he played with Saint-Quentin. Overall, for Traore to become a better-equipped guard, he needs to expand his offensive capability through shooting.
Despite all of this, Nolan Traore is an already proficient basketball player with an extremely bright future. He has an elite dribbling package that enables him to move past defenders and drive for the finish. He is able to accelerate to the paint to make tough layups while defenders are all over him. He plays well with the pick roll, utilizing it to find good looks for his teammates or to attack to the basket. He is also energetic on the defensive end putting pressure on the ball and being an opposing force for fellow guards.
As Traore is displaying his talents against French basketball, he still has his eyes set on the NBA. He tells ESPN, “My goal is to win as many games as I can and then get drafted as high as possible.” Traore is utilizing his time with Saint-Quentin to impress more NBA execs and prove that he is prepared for the Association. With an established relationship with the team and the momentum he was able to build last season, he is equipped to do just that.
Saint-Quentin is lucky to keep Nolan Traore despite the various offers he received from esteemed basketball universities. He doesn’t have to go to the States to make his name more known but can do it right here at home. As he’s demonstrated by breaking numerous records as a teen against the best youth and adult competition in Europe, Nolan will do just fine in France. With further development, Nolan can gain more recognition and boost his draft potential. Before long, Traore will finally be packing his bags to play against the world’s best basketball players.
