Nolan Traoré Bio
Nolan Traoré (born 28 May 2006) is a French professional basketball player for the Long Island Nets of the NBA G League, on assignment from the Brooklyn Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A highly regarded guard who rose through the French development system, he was selected by the Brooklyn Nets with the 19th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft.
Traoré has been considered one of the top French prospects of his generation. He gained international attention for record-setting scoring performances as a teenager in European competition before making the move to the NBA.
Early Life and Background
Traoré was born on 28 May 2006 in Créteil, Val-de-Marne, France, and grew up in the neighboring commune of Chennevières-sur-Marne in the southern suburbs of Paris. He is the younger brother of basketball player Armel Traoré, and basketball has been part of his life from an early age.
He began playing the sport at age four with the club COC Chennevières, where he played from 2010 to 2014. He then spent three years with VGA Saint-Maur Omnisports, moving through the U9, U10, and U11 teams, and in 2017 joined Saint-Charles Charenton. While at Saint-Charles Charenton, he also played for the Pôle Espoirs Île-de-France from 2019 to 2021, competing in the French junior championships in 2020–21 and averaging more than 16 points per game.
Traoré received his baccalauréat in 2023, one year ahead of the standard schedule, reflecting his ability to balance academics with an increasingly demanding athletic career.
Path to Professional Basketball
Traoré’s rise accelerated when he was admitted to the prestigious training institute INSEP in 2021 and began playing for their affiliated team, Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball, in the French third tier, Nationale Masculine 1. His development was steady and clear, averaging 2.2 points in 2021–22, 11.2 points in 2022–23, and 16.8 points in 2023–24. He became the leading player for Centre Fédéral during the 2023–24 season, posted ratings above 30 in multiple games, and was named the team’s player of the month on several occasions.
On the international youth stage, Traoré represented France at the 2022 FIBA U16 European Championship, where he averaged 13.6 points, and returned for the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship, averaging 8.6 points. These experiences helped establish him as one of the most promising young guards in Europe.
Nolan Traoré Career
Early Career (2021–2024)
Traoré’s first notable senior role came at Centre Fédéral, where he spent three seasons developing in Nationale Masculine 1. His scoring averages grew each year, and he became a focal point of the team. In the 2024 Adidas Next Generation Tournament (ANGT) against Barcelona, he scored a record 45 points while helping INSEP win in overtime. He concluded his Centre Fédéral tenure by winning an award as the best young player in the league.
His performances drew attention from major programs in both Europe and the United States. In February 2024, ESPN projected him as a lottery pick in a mock 2025 NBA draft, signaling the beginning of serious NBA interest.
Saint-Quentin Breakthrough (2024–2025)
Traoré signed with Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball of the French top tier, LNB Élite, at the end of March 2024, and made his debut against AS Monaco. Later in that season, he set the all-time LNB Élite record for most points in a game by a player under 18, scoring 25. He finished the year with seven games played and 10.3 points per game.
In April 2024, he participated in the Nike Hoop Summit all-star game and was one of the top performers with 18 points and four assists against top-ranked NBA prospects. On 1 June 2024, he announced a two-year contract extension with Saint-Quentin, choosing to stay in France despite offers from top U.S. college programs. On 3 October 2024, he made his European debut and scored 27 points in a Basketball Champions League home win against Kolossos Rhodes, the most points ever in a Champions League game by a player under 21, breaking the previous record held by Alperen Şengün. On 10 May 2025, he was named the Basketball Champions League Best Young Player.
Brooklyn Nets Era (2025–Present)
On 25 June 2025, the Brooklyn Nets selected Traoré with the 19th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, bringing him into the NBA after his standout French career. He joined a young Nets roster focused on long-term development. On 15 December 2025, he was assigned to their G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets, where he continues to gain professional experience and adjust to the American style of play.
Driving Style and Strengths
Traoré is a quick, scoring-minded guard known for his ability to create his own shot, push tempo, and score efficiently against older competition. His experience against grown men in the French top flight and the Basketball Champions League has sharpened his pick-and-roll reads and finishing. He is also regarded for his competitive toughness, as shown by his record-breaking scoring nights as a teenager.
Notable Events and Milestones
Traoré’s signature moments include his 45-point ANGT performance against Barcelona, his 27-point Champions League debut record against Kolossos Rhodes, and his selection as the 19th overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft. He also earned the 2025 Basketball Champions League Best Young Player award and competed in the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit.
Nolan Traoré Career Highlights
Across his time at Centre Fédéral, Saint-Quentin, and the Brooklyn Nets organization, Traoré has built a résumé that includes record-setting scoring nights, individual awards, and NBA draft selection. His career wins and standout performances reflect his status as one of the top French prospects of his generation.
French League and European Highlights
At Saint-Quentin, Traoré set the LNB Élite record for most points in a game by a player under 18 with 25. He also broke the Basketball Champions League under-21 scoring record with 27 points against Kolossos Rhodes and was later named the 2025 Basketball Champions League Best Young Player. His Centre Fédéral years featured a league-best-young-player award and a 45-point ANGT outing against Barcelona.
Other Performances
Traoré represented France at the 2022 FIBA U16 European Championship and the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship, contributing as a teenager against top international competition. He also competed in the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit, where he posted 18 points and four assists.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| LNB Élite (Saint-Quentin, 2023–24 partial) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Nolan Traoré Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Traoré is the younger brother of basketball player Armel Traoré, and the two share a deep connection to the sport. Growing up in Chennevières-sur-Marne, he was surrounded by the French basketball system from a young age, which helped shape his path toward a professional career.
Personal Life
Traoré completed his baccalauréat in 2023 at an early age, an achievement that highlighted his discipline off the court. He is focused on his development as a professional player.
2025 Season Performance
Traoré’s 2025 season was a defining year in his young career. After returning to Saint-Quentin on a two-year contract in June 2024, he opened the European campaign with a record 27-point Champions League performance in October 2024 and continued to be a focal point of the team’s offense. His play against top French and European competition reinforced his reputation as one of the most exciting teenage guards in the world.
On 10 May 2025, his strong season was recognized when he was named the Basketball Champions League Best Young Player. Later that spring, on 25 June 2025, he was selected 19th overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2025 NBA draft, officially beginning his NBA career. In December 2025, he was assigned to the Long Island Nets of the NBA G League to continue his development.
Looking ahead, Traoré is expected to split time between Brooklyn and Long Island as he adjusts to the speed and physicality of the American game. His combination of scoring, playmaking, and prior professional experience in Europe gives him a clear path toward earning a consistent role with the Nets.