Once ranked as a five-star, top-30 national recruit, Yohan Traore is making a comeback. The 6’11” forward has committed to play for Butler in the 2025/26 season after playing for Auburn, UC Santa Barbara, and SMU. Fans are questioning if Butler’s enormous potential, which has so far remained just out of reach, can finally be realized with this move.
A Journey Full of Twists: Yohan Traore’s Search for the Right Fit
Traore’s time in college has been quite eventful.
Expectations were high when Traore started at Auburn, but he struggled to fit in. Fans were left wanting more because he only averaged 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds in his few minutes on the court. However, it was a welcome change for him when he transferred to UC Santa Barbara, where he flourished by averaging 14.5 points and 5.1 rebounds. Also, he won All-Big West honors and displayed glimpses of the skill scouts had praised in high school.
But after moving to SMU, his progress slowed once more. His output decreased to 6.1 points and 3.2 rebounds per game despite the fact that he participated in 32 games and started 16 of them. He shot an effective 50% from the field but never seemed to fit in with SMU’s system.
College basketball insider Kevin Sweeney noted on X:
SMU was 18.1 points per 100 possessions worse with Traore in the game this season, per Hoop Explorer.
The year before, UCSB was 17.1 points per 100 possessions worse with Traore in the game.
Butler will be the latest team to bet on the former top-25 recruit’s talent. https://t.co/XUazv55aLO
— Kevin Sweeney (@CBB_Central) April 26, 2025
The fit wasn’t ideal, so his move to Butler feels so surprising.
Why Butler Could Unlock Traore’s Full Potential
Thad Matta, Butler’s head coach, thinks Traore has a lot of potential and that his system will enable him to succeed. In a team that values spacing, ball movement, and defensive toughness, Traore’s mix of size, athleticism, and touch may be a huge addition.
Traore is a modern big man at his finest; he can guard several positions, run the floor, and make midrange jumpers. Traore could get the one thing he needs the most from Butler: a clearly defined role, as he complements its frontcourt with a serious boost after a rebuilding year.
This is more than just another transfer for Traore. It’s an opportunity to start over after a successful career.
If he has a strong season at Butler, he might once again be on the radar of professional scouts in the NBA, G League, or abroad. He is 6’11” and has fluid athleticism, yet he still has impossible qualities to teach.
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Getting a player with Traore’s lineage is a risk worth taking for Butler. If Matta and his staff can get him back to playing confident, aggressive basketball, the Bulldogs could have one of Big East’s biggest surprise stories on their hands.
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