Nolan Traore, a potential lottery pick, is entering the draft, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reports.
Traore, an 18-year-old guard, is currently playing in his home country, France. He’s averaging 11.5 points and 4.9 assists in 23 minutes per game for Saint-Quentin, which competes in both the domestic Pro A league and the intercontinental Basketball Champions League.
Traore is currently ranked No. 18 by ESPN. The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie had Traore coming off the board with the No. 16 pick in his most recent mock draft.
“I’m excited to take the next step in my career and declare for the NBA draft,” the 6’4” Traore told ESPN. “I still have many goals with my team, to finish the regular season strong, make the playoffs and then have a great draft process. I want to be drafted to the best situation with a pathway to earn playing time right away. I’m ready for that challenge.”
Traore was one of the standouts at last year’s Nike Hoop Summit but has taken some lumps in France’s pro league. Turnovers, shooting efficiency and the league’s physicality have been issues for a teenager with a 29 percent usage rate, second-highest in the league according to Givony.
“It has been a challenging year in France that has made me a much better and tougher player,” Traore said. “The NBA is not going to be easy, and I think that this season will help me a lot I that regard.”
Would love for this kid to still be available at 13 for my Hawks. Not really great at anything but he has the ability to be pretty good at everything you want a pg to be good at. I see a lot of young Jrue Holiday in his game. Like Jrue he looks like he has the potential to get a lot stronger as well. The French connection with Zacch don’t hurt either. Traore or Liam McNeeley are currently my 2 picks for the Hawks at 13.
Don’t really know him. Those are pretty good stats at 18 for 23 mins. Has good size for a PG. high praise to be compared to Jrue. I will chk him out. France has been putting out a lot of talent lately.