Nolan Traoré, an 18-year-old basketball prodigy from Créteil, recently made his debut for the French national team and is projected as a top NBA draft candidate for June 2025. Standing at 1.91 meters, he has quickly gained recognition for his impressive skills, highlighted by a standout performance in his professional debut and record-breaking achievements in youth competitions. With aspirations of excelling in the NBA, Traoré aims to become one of France’s best basketball players.
A Rising Star in French Basketball
At just 18 years old, Nolan Traoré has already made a significant mark on his young career. He celebrated his first selection with the French national basketball team on Thursday, November 21, in a match against Cyprus, which ended with a score of 75-59. This coming Sunday, during the Euro 2025 qualifiers at the Futuroscope Arena in Poitiers, the Saint-Quentin point guard is poised to earn his second cap, signaling the beginning of what promises to be a bright future.
Impressive Potential and NBA Aspirations
Nolan Traoré, hailing from Créteil, has emerged as one of the most promising talents of his generation. Standing at an impressive 1.91 meters, he is already being projected as a top contender in the upcoming NBA draft in June 2025. This comes on the heels of last year’s NBA draft, which saw French players Zaccharie Risacher and Alexandre Sarr selected as the first and second picks, respectively, following the trailblazing success of Victor Wembanyama just two years prior.
Before potentially sharing the court with ‘Wemby’ in the NBA, Traoré is focused on making his mark with the French national team. He initially joined the squad last summer as a training partner during the Olympic preparations, and has since become a standout player. Frédéric Fauthoux, the head coach of the Blues, praised Traoré’s performance, noting his significant contributions during the summer training sessions and with Saint-Quentin.
Just a few months ago, Traoré was relatively unknown in the basketball world. His professional debut took place on March 30, 2024. With his American teammate Tyger Campbell sidelined due to injury, Saint-Quentin turned to the young talent from INSEP. In his first professional game, Traoré made an immediate impact, scoring five points and providing four assists in just 15 minutes against Monaco, one of the league’s top teams.
His talent was soon confirmed in subsequent matches, where he scored 25 points in a playoff game against Asvel and made headlines during the U18 Euroleague in Berlin, where he set a record with 45 points in the semi-finals against FC Barcelona. These remarkable performances have solidified his reputation in the basketball community, with Traoré humbly admitting, “I didn’t expect to perform so well; I just played like at INSEP and that was it.”
Looking ahead, Traoré is determined to continue his rapid ascent in the sport, particularly with his sights set on the United States. “When I wake up every morning, I tell myself that the draft is this year,” he shares, reflecting his ambition and drive. “I want to be one of the best French players. Once I’m in the NBA, my goal will be to stay, which is the hardest part. But I have big dreams.” With such aspirations, it’s clear that Nolan Traoré is a name to watch in the world of basketball.