French basketball has not finished making headlines in the NBA. While the last two drafts crowned the Habs, Victor Wembanyama and Zaccharie Risacher, another nugget should reach the top of the list next June: Nolan Traoré. At only 18 years old, the Saint-Quentin player impressed this Tuesday during his first Champions League match against the Greeks Kolossos H Hotels.
His stat line is astonishing. In 26 minutes of play, the leader scored 27 points and delivered 5 assists. Hard-hitting, fast and skillful, the Frenchman completely overwhelmed the Greek defense, who could only observe the damage. A superb performance which allowed the Picardy team to easily win their first match of the competition (84-54).
However, Nolan Traoré is only 18 years old. Born in Créteil on May 28, 2006, he arrived in Saint-Quentin in the middle of last season as a medical freelancer. Arriving from the federal center, where he had been playing for three years, he immediately convinced and was extended for two seasons. Announced 4th in ESPN’s draft projections, the Frenchman had a complicated start to the national championship, before completely exploding during this first European game.