Underrated Mid Major Transfer Aboubacar Traore Commits to Louisville Men’s Basketball Program

Louisville, Ky. – The Louisville men’s basketball program has added another talented transfer to its roster, as former Long Beach State forward Aboubacar Traore has announced his verbal pledge to the Cardinals.

Traore, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound small forward, was a standout player in the Big West Conference last season. He averaged 12.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting an impressive 51.7 percent from the field. Traore earned First-Team All-Big West honors and was named the conference’s Best Hustle Player. He also took home the Big West Tournament MVP award after leading Long Beach State to their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2012.

The native of Côte D’Ivoire in West Africa has had a productive three-year career at Long Beach State, totaling 1,033 points, 853 rebounds, and 318 assists in 101 appearances.

Traore is the seventh transfer to commit to Louisville this offseason, joining a talented group that includes guard Reyne Smith and center James Scott from Charleston, guard/forward Terrence Edwards Jr. from James Madison, guard J’Vonne Hadley from Colorado, guard Koren Johnson from Washington, and center Aly Khalifa from BYU.

Following the dismissal of head coach Kenny Payne, Louisville’s roster saw a significant turnover, with 11 players entering the transfer portal. With Traore and the other transfers joining the program, the Cardinals are looking to reload and compete at a high level in the upcoming season.

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