Projected in the Top 5 of the 2025 NBA Draft, Nolan Traoré played in La Rochelle this Saturday evening as part of the fifth day of the French championship. In the very large victory of Saint-Quentin (94-57), the young French phenomenon gave a glimpse of his immense potential.
Nolan Traoré did not have to exert his talent to help Saint-Quentin win on the floor of La Rochelle this evening. Nevertheless, the 18-year-old point guard showed – in certain sequences – why he is considered one of the most talented players of his generation.
Hey, some news from Nolan Traoré.
Little floater then 3-point catch & shoot in transition, easy basketball 😏😏pic.twitter.com/owRz50L6VZ
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) October 19, 2024
With 16 points and 7 assists in 22 minutes of play (7/12 shooting, 2/5 from distance), Nolan delivered a solid performance after a discreet start to the match.
Focusing on playmaking in the first minutes to help Saint-Quentin find its offensive rhythm (17-5 score), Traoré quickly picked up two fouls, forcing him to come out. It was only from the second quarter that Traoré distinguished himself in scoring, showing his velvet touch through two inspired lay-ups. And despite a third foul caught quickly at the start of the third quarter, Nolan then continued to gain momentum. First by planting a nice mid-distance shot, then by chaining floater and 3-pointers in transition (the video sequence above). No doubt, this kid has something.
In the last quarter, Nolan Traoré took care of his scoring and passing stats, especially when former NBA player Jerome Robinson was on the bench. Enough to show the La Rochelle public that the big hype surrounding it is clearly not usurped. Between patience, maturity and talent, the French nugget also proved right the new Blues coach Frédéric Fauthoux, who called him up for the first time in the French team for the next international window.
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Source stats : LNB
