Considered one of the best prospects for the 2025 Draft, the French Nolan Traore remains in France. According to ESPNthe prospect, who went through INSEP, has in fact decided to turn his back on offers from abroad to prefer to commit two more years with the Saint-Quentin club (Betclic Élite).
“ Basketball-wise, this is the best situation for me. I can play with a coach that I know, who gave me the confidence to play in the playoffs. I liked the first experience I had with them. Play the FIBA Champions League group stage (BCL) next season will be exciting and something very positive “, he describes as such.
Nolan Traore was targeted by major NCAA programs, including Duke, Arkansas, Gonzaga and Alabama, as well as the Australian NBL and Euroleague and EuroCup teams, in France and abroad. He explains that the comfort of being close to home, as well as his pre-existing relationship with Saint-Quentin, were decisive.
“ It was cool to see all these structures interested in me. I don't take this for granted. It was a reward for all the work I put in. I was happy to have all these options, but the ability to stay close to family was also important. They can visit me and I can go home easily », justifies the young 18-year-old basketball player.
Objective: Olympic Games!
Nolan Traore was already considered a lottery pick in ESPN's first 2025 Mock Draft released in February, but he will be ranked in the Top 5 in the next update after an explosive spring that featured remarkable performances, notably his recent 45-point outing with Pôle France.
At the end of the season, he helped Saint-Quentin qualify for the playoffs, scoring 25 points and 7 assists in his last match against ASVEL. Enough to push Vincent Collet to summon him as a training partner for the French team training course which will begin on June 18 with a view to the Paris Olympic Games.
“ At first I was very surprised to be called. But the goal is to be selected in the team. I want to show the staff what I can do and that I can bring something to help them win », The leader who will be in competition with Killian Hayes, Theo Malédon or Frank Ntilikina for the position is squarely fixed.
The future therefore looks bright for him, who is already imagining a very strong 2025 Draft. “ My goal is to win as many matches as possible and be selected as high as possible », he finishes.
