Our Director of Scouting, Florian Kurth, sat down with French Big Yohan Traore to talk about developments in his sophomore season at UCSB.
Before that, we provide an overview of his abilities (strengths, weaknesses), general situation and background.
His situation
Traore grew up in Tours, France with 4 siblings being the oldest and his mother (Mahbana Toure) who has Ivorian roots. At the end of his age 16, he decided to go to high school, first to play for Prolific Prep and then for Napa Christian School. While being one of the best recruits of the 2022 class, he was also able to recommend himself for the Nike Hoop Summit, where he played for the World Select Team in 2022.
Following his high school career, he first went to Auburn, where he only averaged 10 minutes in 25 games during his freshman season. This was (as he reveals in the Q&A) the decisive reason why he decided to transfer to Santa Barbara. There he fills the most prominent role alongside Belgian teammate Ajay Mitchell. He also played for the French national team, for instance at the 2019 European Championships, where he made a significant contribution to the silver medal.
Traore is used in these positions:
Generally he is listed as a forward on all platforms, but is primarly used right now as a mobile center by UCSB head coach Joe Pasternack.
His current role in the team:
Right now his role is being the starting center who is giving his team more on the offensive end, than defensively. When it comes to leadership qualities and vocal skills, Traore has taken a step forward and creates a good atmosphere and positivity in the team, while also trying to lead the way emotionally and communicatively on the court.
What can/does he do?
His biggest strengths are his low-post scoring, but he also excels as a off-ball motion scorer. As a big he shows over-average ballhandling skills what makes him a good and regular scorer off the dribble. On top he is, as already mentioned, a solid athlete. His leadership qualities are also worth mentioning! In vertical defensive movements, he often manages to keep quicker opponents in front of him with his good and light footwork.
What can’t/doesn’t he have?
Defensively, he does not qualify for large, responsible tasks. He does not appear as a shot blocker, nor does he manage to exude presence with his physicality and good arm span. He also doesn’t always exude the greatest will and aggressiveness on the boards to grab every rebound. This also means that he only has solid explosiveness. He also doesn’t yet have the ability to spread the court, let alone pose a threat from the pick and pop with long-range shooting.
There is potential here:
It is doubtful whether he will ever become a great athlete or whether his explosiveness will also show a huge upward trend. However, a leap in his defensive anticipation skills and tactical understanding can be seen more and more. This is not yet reflected in the blocked shots statistic, but in the points allowed in the paint. Another attribute where continuous improvement potential is recognizable is his basketball understanding and playmaking, which can make him a very dangerous weapon out of the post. He often recognizes the better-positioned teammates with skip passes and he will become more adept at this in the future. As far as I know, he is also working intensively on his shooting (mechanics and speed wise), but so far it has not been integrated into his game. I don’t expect rapid integration in the near future, let alone a high-percentage danger.
Season stats
15 games played (15 started), 28.5 min played, 14.5 pts, 0.3 ass, 4.9 reb (1.5 off. reb.), 0.1 stl, 0.5 bl, 1.8 to, 1.9 pf, 60.6% FG, 9.1% 3FG, 56.3% FT
Q&A Session
How did you get to where you are today? Can you briefly tell us when you started playing basketball and why?
I started to play basketball at 7. First I started playing soccer and judo at 6 then switched up to Basketball because I was tall and I actually ended up liking it by playing in playgrounds with my cousins and randoms.
Did your parents play sport professionally?
My parents never played sports professionally.
When did you realize that you wanted to become a professional and that you could?
I always knew that I could be professional one day but that it was gonna take times and work.
For those who aren’t familiar with your game: What are your biggest strengths and style of play?
I’m a versatile big who can drive the ball post up shoot and block shots. But my biggest strength is my versatility.
In which position do you see yourself in the long term?
I see myself on the four, so forward.
What would you say is the most underrated aspect of your game?
The most underrated part of my game is my ability to guard multiple positions.
Where do you feel you need to improve the most?
I feel like I need to improve more my shooting abilities and decisions making.
Last year you played for Auburn. Why did you decide to move to UCSB? How is it for you so far in Santa Barbara?
Auburn was a good experience and I really learned from but I felt like that going to UCSB was going to be a great move for me as far as getting a better opportunity for myself to display what I’m capable of doing and have better responsibilities for this team.
What are your short-term goals for this season with the team?
Make it to the NCAA tournament and go as far as we can
Where do you see yourself in three years after graduating at the latest?
NBA!
Is there a team you’d like to play for one day?
Whoever picks me I’m fine with it being an NBA players always been a dream of mine
What excites you most besides basketball? Or what do you do when you’re not training or at games?
I watch TV shows and movies. I just relax and call my people.
If you weren’t pursuing a career as a professional basketball player, what would you be doing?
I don’t really know actually.
Would you describe yourself as introverted or extroverted?
Introvert.
