The biggest star on the San Antonio Spurs, plus one of the league's brightest young talents, raved about this Nets up-and-comer.
Count Victor Wembanyama as one noticing the growth spurt of one breakout Brooklyn Nets rookie.
It just so happens the San Antonio Spurs star shares a France connection with this standout he spoke highly of.
Nolan Traore received some genuine words from the fast-rising star for the Spurs. "Wemby" is already familiar with Traore's talents having played in the 2024 Summer Olympics with him.
So what's stood out in the eyes of "Wemby" when he watches Traore play?
“What I noticed from him was the maturity and the way he could control the game," Wembanyama said via Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.
That wasn't the only praise the towering 7-foot-5 talent handed the Nets guard.
“[Nolan's] very young, and he was even younger in 2024 when we were preparing for the Olympics,” he said. "And the way that whoever the opponent is doesn’t matter. He’s got real guts. I believe that’s a guy who will have incredible growth over his career."
Traore has flashed his potential on multiple nights. He recently dropped 17 points in 30 minutes against the Cleveland Cavaliers despite the narrow loss on Sunday. He also came close to delivering a double-double Friday against the Boston Celtics -- scoring eight points and dishing out seven assists despite that loss.
The biggest star on the Spurs -- let alone one of the league's future faces -- raves about Traore. But what about anyone inside the Nets' facility?
Well, his head coach Jordi Fernandez is another who's singing the praises for Traore. Especially in looking at his grit each night.
"Nolan's always believed that he belongs,” Fernandez said postgame after the Spurs loss from Thursday. “He always fights back, and he's getting to be the voice and the presence that we believe he is."
Fernandez remains energized about the untapped potential Traore hasn't gotten a chance to hit but is working towards.
"He's not there yet because we also believe his ceiling is much higher," Fernandez explained. "These last 23 games are huge for him, huge for the group going into the summer, which will be the biggest summer of our lives.”
Traore represents the future of the franchise alongside Egor Demin. Brooklyn, though, could still add one more dynamic piece via the 2026 NBA Draft come June especially if it lands inside the top five of the lottery.
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