Image Credit: Franck Faugere/Presse Sports via Imagn Images

Nolan Traore Draft Projection: Is a Mid-First Round Pick on the Cards in 2025 NBA Draft?

Elite passer draws big league interest

Image Credit: Franck Faugere/Presse Sports via Imagn Images

Nolan Traore hails from a basketball-driven family and has quickly made a name for himself in France’s professional leagues. He started playing basketball from the age of 4 but later moved through various academies. His first major stint came at the Pôle Espoirs Ile-de-France which is an elite regional training program.

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While his performances earned attention from top U.S. college programs, Traore opted to continue his development in France. He signed a two-year deal with Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball in the LNB Pro A League.

Absurd split and finish for Nolan Traore pic.twitter.com/X5UHP8hTMh
— Penny Stock Prospects (@pstockprospects) June 23, 2025

Nolan Traore Scouting Report – Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

Traore’s pick-and-roll game ranks among the most advanced in France’s new wave of young prospects. He averaged 0.967 points per possession across 590 pick-and-roll plays, placing him in the 70th percentile among European guards.

He possesses a unique skill set and vision in terms of passing ability, delivering no-look dimes, lobs, and cross-court skips with ease. His court awareness translated into a 2:1 assist-to-turnover ratio, 5.1 assists per game against just 2.5 turnovers.

Weaknesses

For a guard, he has relatively low output from beyond the arc. The 18-year-old shot just 29.6% from beyond the arc and 39.2% overall, figures that need improvement heading into the NBA.

Nolan Traore’s lack of strength could also be an issue in the NBA. At 6’ 4” height and 175 lbs weight, the French international struggles with contact at the rim. He will need to add some muscle to finish through traffic.

Nolan Traore’s Stats and Accomplishments at Saint-Queintin

Traore averaged 10.3 points for Saint-Queintin over 7 games. He dropped 27 points in his Basketball Champions League debut, instantly proving he belonged on the big stage.

Traore’s achievements (2024-25)

The Point guard was awarded the FIBA Champions League Best Young Player (2025)

Became the youngest French player to score 25+ points in a Basketball Champions League game.

Nolan Traore’s Draft Projection

His NBA Draft Green Room invitation signals clear top-tier interest from front offices. Early projections place him at No. 16 overall, with the Memphis Grizzlies reportedly leading the race.