Nolan Traore has made his mark in the second half of last season, with his performances in the French LNB Elite, Nike Hoop Summit and Adidas Next Generation, finishing off with the U18 EuroBasket. His name is now a constant in 2025 NBA big board’s top 10s and even top 5s, due to his masterful shot creation ability. But how was he capable of impressing so many scouts and analysts so quickly?
By consistently finding ways to the rim. Measuring 6’4 with a 6’6 wingspan, Nolan Traore finished second in drives per 100 possessions in both the LNB Elite and the U18 EuroBasket, which confirms his extraordinary ability to get inside. In two extremely different competitions, one being one of the best leagues in Europe and the other the most talented U18 EuroBasket of all time, one thing remained the same: Nolan Traore finding ways to drive.
His efficiency at the rim might be the next step in his development, as he struggled in the French League to finish at the basket, but his numbers from the U18 Euro and ANGT were definitely encouraging. Below, we’re able to compare Nolan’s numbers in the main competitions from the second half of last season to some of the best shot creating ball handlers in the NBA in their pre-draft season:
Although some context is needed, as always, these are impressive numbers from Traore, who didn’t turn 18 until the end of May. With varying levels of opposition and usage, only Breakers’ Lamelo and Kentucky’s Maxey get close to Traore’s driving numbers. And only Villanova’s Jalen Brunson was above 50% on drives. All combined, more than 20% of the possessions Nolan Traore was a part of ended with a drive or assist from him last season. He’s not the outside shooter most of these guys were before being selected, but he definitely is one of the most talented drivers of this group. Let’s see why:
As a right-handed ball handler, most of his drives are made to where he’s most comfortable. As we’ll do with all the videos, I’ll first present an uninterrupted version and then a slowed down/freeze frame version of it so we can discover some details. In the first clip, Traore is guided right but the defender is in control. So there’s a little deceleration to get the defender to ease up and a quick acceleration to gain space. He initiates his stride a bit early, which is crucial for the finish but the process is the most important part.
In the second clip, he reads his teammate’s movement in the direction of the perimeter, opening up inside. So he initiates his movement, baiting his defender into thinking there’s a possibility of going for a steal, before giving him a behind the back move through the middle of the floor. Do you remember that first clip? Notice the deceleration again, now on the switch. In this case, Traore initiates his stride later, protecting his shot from being blocked with a reverse finish.
Going mostly right doesn’t mean he can’t go left, as close to 40% of his drives are directed left. Once again, the deceleration/hesitation is key. But it is not too prolonged to make way for the defender to recover. In the first clip, once his man bites, he widens his base and gets lower, inviting contact at first on his right side and then going at the defender for the finish.
In the second clip, he goes for the in-and-out, keeping his defender on his hip, delaying his recovery, while he gets the drop defender a bit out of position - just enough to get a glimpse of a path to the rim and finish on the other side of the basket. In the third clip, Traore tries to get a feel on what his man is giving him. Once he opens up the angle for him to go left, his first step will always grant him an advantage. The size and quickness do the rest.
One of my favorite micro-skills from Nolan Traore is his quick left-to-right crossover to get to a more comfortable shot at the basket. See how, in the first clip, he uses the positioning of the drop big to his advantage. He’s clearly sending him left but there’s space in the center. So he quickly changes hands but maintains the position and then attacks the right to keep the big on his hip. Ends up missing by not establishing contact on the finish.
In semi-transition, Traore arrives late but catches in stride to attack quickly. Fakes going left to get his man out of position and with a more pronounced crossover, goes right at the defender. Beats him in speed and extends for the finish. And remember how he can get a defender to go for the steal by showing a bit of the ball? In the third clip, he’s expecting the hard show and invites it, forcing his defender to go after the ball. When he commits, goes behind the back and the middle is wide open for him to explore.
But not every drive from Traore will finish with him shooting. He’s a talented shooter with more than 11 assists per 100 possessions in the LNB Elite, Adidas Next Generation and U18 EuroBasket. Check the driving gravity he possesses and how that can make him such a special NBA shot creator. In the first clip, a rapid attack after the catch with an insanely quick change of pace forces the help, with four opponents around him, opening up the floor for the shooters around him.
Notice the little detail in the assist on the second clip. After going back and attacking left, he gains an advantage and gets the defensive attention on him. There’s a quick bounce pass there for his teammate but by going for a pass around the closest helper, he attracts the backside defender to him and grants his colleague an open finish. And while we’re noticing details, the third clip is a great example of Nolan Traore’s defense manipulation. Creates the advantage after the hard show and gives a quick glance outside. Enough to get the help defender to make his move and get to the perimeter and open up the lob for the roller.
It’s easy to see why Nolan Traore is turning into one of the main guys in a loaded draft class. I’m curious to follow his development as an inside finisher with a full season in the French LNB, with more responsibilities as a ball handler and more attention given to him by the defense. Also, the improvement of his outside shot might open up driving lanes even more for him. So those will be the main points of interest for Traore’s season, as France continues to look for a great point guard since Tony Parker retired. No man has ever driven from Saint Quentin to the US, mainly because it’s almost all water. But at this rate, Nolan Traore might find a driving lane directly to the top of the NBA Draft.