Benjamin Schroder

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

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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.

Our Director of Scouting, Florian Kurth, sat down with Benjamin Schröder to talk about his developments this season.
Before that, we provide an overview of his abilities (strengths, weaknesses) and his general situation.

His situation
Benjamin Schröder dominated all youth levels in Germany (playing for Bayern Munich and after for the International Basketball Academy Munich) with his, for german standards, over-average athleticism, ultimate drive to the basket, paired with good finishing qualities. He was hard to stop on drives and quite a few game highlights made him very desirable for universities. Accordingly, Schröder decided to play for Oklahoma University in his freshman year. However, he never really got going there, partly due to an injury at the start of the season that slowed him down. In summer, he decides to transfer to George Washington University, where he hopes to get more playing time and at the same time better support from the coaches to improve individually. There, the Munich native has had a solid season so far, tripling his playing time.

Schröder is used in these positions:
He predominantly operates from the wing as a shooting guard or small forward with occasional playmaking opportunities from the pick and roll or transition offense.

His current role in the team:
Right now his role is limited to about 10-20 min per game, but is getting the ball in his hands more often to create for himself and others. Defensively, he is often called upon to put pressure on the opponent’s strongest offensive players.
His role with the national team last summer was different. Here he was one of the go-to guys and could always be found in the starting five.

What can/does he do?
Constantly keeping his energy level and motor high, solid athleticism (for college level), good hands to force steals, regularly sneaks in behind the opponent with cuts towards the basket, good absorption of opponent contact near the basket

What can’t/doesn’t he have?
Hit three point and midrange shots, pick and roll / ball handling skills, find a balance between slowing down and speeding up, hit free throws at a high percentage, occasional imbalance in his shot selection, not defined and well-trained body

There is potential here
If you compare his defensive attitude and his shooting mechanics with his last youth season in Germany, you can see that he has developed considerably and will continue to do so. Improvement can also be expected in running pick and rolls, which is becoming more and more common for him at college level, with increasing playing time and experience. His physique and frame is where he has the most potential. He’s not an overly defined wing, which he doesn’t have to be, but there is still a certain instability in his lower body to be seen.

Season stats

13 games played, 12.5 min played, 4.8 pts, 0.6 ass, 1.9 reb, 0.4 stl, 0.1 bl, 1.1 to, 1.2 pf, 46.8% FG, 9.1% 3FG, 63% FT

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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 in the traditional way, as we know it in Germany, with soccer. However, I wasn’t very talented at it. After that, I played for a small basketball team in Munich, but it disbanded. That’s why I looked around for alternatives and came across Bayern’s youth program, where I went to try out. I stayed there until the end of my first U19 season and then switched to IBAM (International Basketball Academy Munich: Oscar Da Silva also played there). I then played my last two U19 youth national league seasons there.

Did you also try out other sports?

Apart from soccer, I tried my hand at tennis, but not for very long.

Did your parents play sport professionally?

No, not really. My dad played ice hockey at a pretty good level, but not professionally.

When did you realize that you wanted to become a professional and that you could?

Of course you always dream about it. I always trained more than everyone else back then. Even at the age of 12-13, I didn’t just see it as a hobby. After all, I was at Bayern, which is one of the best youth programs in Germany, so I had to assert myself first. But I didn’t realize that I had a good chance of turning pro until my last U16 year, when I had a bit of a breakout season. Back then I played a very good final four, after which I was invited to join the national team and that showed me that I could do it and that the hard work was slowly paying off. Now I’m going to keep it up and give it my all for the next few years and then I can make it.

For those who aren’t familiar with your game: What are your biggest strengths and style of play?

I’ve been a very creative scorer in every team I’ve played in so far, even if my three-pointer is still a bit inconsistent, which I’m working hard on and already making good progress in training. In general, I’m also a pretty good playmaker for my size, which means I can play from the 1 to the 3 from any position. That means I’m also variable.

I’ve also gotten feedback from the coaches here that I’ve become a better, more committed defender in the last two years. Simply because I regularly play against Big 12 guards in training, which was very helpful, especially last year.

What role models do you play by or do you watch highlights?

I especially like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown because they have a similar skillset. In the Euroleague, I really like watching Tomas Satoransky, who is also a good comparison to me in my opinion. Similar size, similar skillset. I also used to be a big Monta Ellis fan!

In which position do you see yourself in the long term?

I see myself more as a shooting guard and second ball handler for my team. So I think I can also play pick and rolls and don’t have to be a three-and-D wing. So more as a ball handler and not a slasher and classic wing.

What would you say is the most underrated aspect of your game?

I think defense. When I was still in Germany, I simply wasn’t an elite defender. This year, however, I’m always being put on the opponent’s best offensive player. And it’s now also become one of my strengths. Then there’s also my playmaking, as I said. Every time I’m asked to create from it, I’d say I make pretty solid decisions.

Where do you feel you need to improve the most?

Three point shooting, definitely. I haven’t got a big sample size yet this year, but I can see that I’ve improved in training.

Physically, there is still room for improvement. I don’t have to become a muscle man now, but a bit more definition and muscle mass wouldn’t hurt.

You were also at the national team last summer in Crete. How was it for you there?

It was a very cool summer. I had so much fun. I mean you know all the people for years and I’ve been playing with Mike (Michael Rataj – Oregon State forward) since I was 11 years old. It was just such a perfect ending for youth basketball, especially the result. We really could have gotten more out of it if we had just beaten Israel in the quarterfinals. So we definitely could have done better, but nevertheless, after a season in which I played very little, it was really nice for me personally to play and contribute so much again.

Last year at Oklahoma you had a tough year, which is why you decided to change universities. How is it in Washington now? Do you feel comfortable?

First, I wouldn’t say that the lack of playing time was the biggest problem. Of course you always want to play a lot. I’m actually also a fan of pushing through something and making an impact. I just had a knee injury at the start of last season and then I didn’t really get into the season. That’s why I didn’t get many opportunities. In the end, I realized that there just wasn’t a very good connection and trust between me and the coach. That was also the reason why I went to another university. It’s different here in Washington. Of course, I joined the team here a little later because of the European Championships, but things are still going quite well for me and the team. We’re winning almost every game and our roster is also strong. My role is also quite solid. You have to realize that it’s never easy for a European and it just takes time to get used to it. I especially noticed that in Oklahoma, where you were accepted differently after a few months than at the beginning. So now I have a good relationship with the coaches here and our training sessions are going well. I also have the feeling that the coaches train a lot with me individually and watch a lot of video. Compared to Oklahoma, I was in the gym a lot on my own there and here in Washington I just text one of the coaches and they come with me.

What are your short-term goals for this season with the team?

The team goal is definitely to be a top 3 team in the A10. We’re doing very well for a university that was last in the tournament in 2014. Of course, that’s also the goal this year.

For me personally, the goal is to increase my role and aim for the starting five. I’m currently the first or second player off the bench, so starting five is a realistic goal, especially if bigger players are needed in the A10.

Where do you see yourself in three years? Approximately when you’ll finish university? Be finished?

I differentiate between dream and goal. The dream is the NBA, especially if you’re already playing against players who are most likely to get there. By the way, I’m also convinced that I can make it and see it as realistic if I keep working hard on my shot and body. But I would also love to play in Europe. The level has developed so well there. You can see how many NBA players are coming over now.

Is there a team you’d like to play for one day?

I mean, a lot can happen in three years, but as a team alone I think Barcelona is mega cool. On the one hand, it’s one of my favorite cities in the world. Playing there, with all the fan culture and the team, would be nice.

What excites you most besides basketball? Or what do you do when you’re not training or at games?

I am very interested in fashion. I go shopping a lot. Here in Washington I have a teammate who has similar interests in fashion. I’m always out and about with him. I’m also very sociable, which means I like to be around people outside of basketball. So basically I do a lot with friends.

If you weren’t pursuing a career as a professional basketball player, what would you be doing?

I think I would have loved to study medicine. I would have liked to go in the direction of sports medicine. Or, of course, I would have studied fashion design.

Would you describe yourself as introverted or extroverted?

I’m extroverted in familiar surroundings, but I’m more reserved with people I don’t know.