Nolan Traore, a top French 18-year-old guard, declares for 2025 NBA Draft. Traore now plays for Saint-Quentin in the French third division. ESPN lists him as a top-20 overall draft prospect, where they rank him No. 18. His choice comes on the heels of a difficult season in the domestic Pro A league, where he played. It was a shakedown cruise in the Basketball Champions League.
Traore has been exceptional this season in his 35 starts. He is currently averaging 11.5 points and 4.9 assists in only 23 minutes per game. On the whole, his season has not been without challenges. He’s a poor scoring efficiency and high turnover player. These factors have damaged all aspects of his performance on the court, despite flashes of elite play in recent years. He’s had to learn to deal with the physicality of the first division in France. Although this challenge was difficult, he came to find it was a tremendous learning experience.
Even with these hardships, Traore looks forward to his future with a smile. In an official statement announcing his decision to declare for the draft, he sounded nothing short of thrilled. He is looking forward to beginning this new chapter in his career!
“I’m excited to take the next step in my career and declare for the NBA Draft.” – Nolan Traore
Traore’s usage rate stands at 29%, the second highest in the league, indicating his central role in Saint-Quentin’s offensive strategy. This high usage rate reflects his potential and the expectations surrounding him as he transitions to the next level of competition.
Upon looking back on his season, Traore heard the realities and pain he faced this past season. He complimented the benefit of these challenges in his development as a player.
“It has been a challenging year in France that has made me a much better and tougher player.” – Nolan Traore
As Traore gets ready for the 2024 draft, NBA scouts will be watching his every move over these next few months. His intriguing combination of skills has made him an interesting prospect for NBA teams. Despite a few gaps in execution, he would still allow them to significantly strengthen their rosters.
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