St Quentin point guard Nolan Traore. Presse Sports via Imagn Images

Rising French point guard officially declares for NBA Draft

By Matt Evans | Last updated Apr 25, 2025 8:40 AM ET

One of Europe’s most promising young prospects has taken the next step in his career.

French point guard Nolan Traore has officially declared for the 2025 NBA Draft, adding his name to a growing list of international talent poised to make the leap to the next level.

At just 18 years old, Traore has already established himself as one of the most dynamic guards in European basketball. Long admired by NBA scouts for his speed, flair and scoring instincts, the Saint-Quentin playmaker is widely regarded as a first-round talent.

"I'm excited to take the next step in my career and declare for the NBA draft," Traore said upon making his announcement, via ESPN.

"I still have many goals with my team, to finish the regular season strong, make the playoffs and then have a great draft process. I want to be drafted to the best situation with a pathway to earn playing time right away. I'm ready for that challenge."

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Born in May 2006, the 6-foot-3 guard rose through the ranks of the French basketball system via the INSEP academy in Paris, eventually joining Saint-Quentin in France’s top-flight LNB Pro A.

His breakout moment came in October 2024, when he scored 27 points and tallied five assists in his Basketball Champions League debut against Kolossos Rodou B.C. — setting a competition record for most points by a player under 21.

On the international stage, Traore has continued to impress. He stood out at the 2024 Nike Hoop Summit with 18 points and four assists and set a tournament record with 45 points in an overtime victory over FC Barcelona at the Adidas Next Generation Tournament.

Once projected as a top-10 pick, the Frenchman is currently ranked No. 18 on ESPN’s latest draft board. His shooting remains a question mark — he’s converting just 29.2% from three and 72.6% from the free-throw line — but his combination of athleticism, agility and playmaking continues to intrigue scouts.

With his declaration now official, Traore joins a strong class of international prospects. Given his age, upside and experience against professional competition, he could become the next in a long line of French players to thrive in the NBA.

Matt Evans

Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, now based in Paris, France. He has covered various sports including basketball, soccer, boxing, MMA, and motorsports. Over the past decade, Matt has focused heavily on the NBA and has worked with many established outlets on a variety of content

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