"Ex-Elite Recruit Shakes Up College Hoops, Chooses Butler to Revamp Bulldog Defense"

In my journey through the ever-evolving world of basketball and SEO mastery, I’ve seen plenty of raw talent make their mark. Today, I’m thrilled yet not entirely surprised to report that Butler’s men’s basketball team has just bolstered their front-court with a name that’s quickly gathering whispers of greatness – Yohan Traore, the standout transfer from SMU. Now, sitting down at my desk in my cozy study, I can picture the ripple effect this will have on the game.

This six-foot-eleven behemoth from Tours, France, was destined for greatness, rated as the No. 1 player in Arizona and the No. 5 center in his class. That’s right, you heard me say it, No. 5 in the nation! His journey from Dream City Christian to the college hardwood isn’t just a path of skill, but a tale of resilience and flair. Traore, boasting a 50.4% field goal percentage and 32.4% from beyond the arc, played confidently in 32 out of SMU’s games, often stealing the spotlight with performances that made opponents question their defenses. Afterall, who could forget that 20-point, 11-rebound explosion against Longwood?

Having transitioned from Auburn to UC Santa Barbara, each step has been a building block in this young man’s already formidable foundation. With a season high under his belt, he’s not just a towering figure on the court but also a testament to perseverance, bouncing back from injuries with the same fervor he attacks the basket. You can bet Traore’s presence will create a super-sized problem for opponents, either backing up or next to teammate Drayton Jones.

As a fan of the game and an analyst of digital landscapes, watching Traore’s game evolve has been like watching a page one ranking climb through the ranks effortlessly. With talent like his, the Bulldogs aren’t just adding numbers; they’re upping their game. Now with just one scholarship remaining, the anticipation circles like a vulture around who will be next to join this rebounding renaissance. LEARN MORE.Originally from Tours, France, Traore was a five-star recruit coming out of Dream City Christian in Glendale, Arizona. He was rated as the No. 1 player in Arizona and the No. 5 center in his class.Traore began his career at Auburn, where he played in 29 games and averaged 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds in 9.9 minutes per game before spending his sophomore season at UC Santa Barbara. He averaged 14.5 points and 5.1 rebounds at UCSB.The Bulldogs have one scholarship remaining.

Butler men’s basketball has added another big body to its frontcourt with SMU transfer Yohan Traore committing to the program Friday.

Traore should compete for playing time behind Drayton Jones or next to Jones in a super-sized frontcourt lineup. He’s a capable 3-point shooter, but he does most of his work down low. He’s not necessarily a player that needs plays run for him or post-up touches, but he excels at dunking when he has good position down low and turning offensive rebounds into second-chance points.The 6-foot-11, 235-pound forward averaged 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game for SMU last season. He shot 50.4% from the field and 32.4% from 3. He made 16 starts, playing in 32 of SMU’s 35 contests. He missed three games due to injury. He had a season-high 20 points and 11 rebounds against Longwood. He had nine points and five rebounds against Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse Nov. 15.