Forward Aboubacar Traore Officially Joins Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Louisville men’s basketball program has officially signed former Long Beach State forward Aboubacar Traore, the team announced on Wednesday.
Traore, nicknamed “Kader,” is the seventh of 13 newcomers for the 2024-25 season to be announced by the Cardinals and the third on Wednesday, following center Aly Khalifa and guard Koren Johnson. Guard Reyne Scott, center James Scott, guard/forward Terrence Edwards Jr., and guard J’Vonne Hadley were officially signed on Tuesday.
“We are getting one of the best rebounders in the country,” head coach Pat Kelsey said in a statement. “Kader is, not-so-quietly, one of the most productive players in college basketball. He’s excelled in high-pressure situations, from international competition to leading his previous team to an improbable NCAA Tournament run. His versatility makes him special—tough enough to guard a five and athletic enough to defend a point guard, with a great feel for the game.”
The 6-foot-5, 195-pound small forward was one of the best players in the Big West Conference last season. Playing in all 36 games with 31 starts, Traore averaged 12.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, a team-best 4.5 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 51.7 percent from the floor.
Traore earned First-Team All-Big West honors and was named the conference’s Best Hustle Player last season. He also won the Big West Tournament MVP after averaging 13.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game, leading Long Beach State to the conference tournament title and their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2012.
A native of Côte D’Ivoire in West Africa, Traore had a productive three-year career at Long Beach State. In 101 games, including 88 starts, he totaled 1,033 points, 853 rebounds, and 318 assists.
Following Louisville’s disappointing 2023-24 season, which led to the firing of second-year head coach Kenny Payne, the Cardinals saw a major roster overhaul. All 12 of Louisville’s scholarship players entered the transfer portal, leaving only walk-on guard Aidan McCool set to return.
However, since his hiring on Mar. 28, Kelsey has excelled in rebuilding the roster, bringing in 12 Division I transfers and one high school prospect. According to On3, their transfer portal class ranks No. 1 in the nation.
