Better Prospect Than Jakucionis’: Fans Demand Top 10 Spot for Nolan Traore in NBA Draft After Playoff Surge

If everyone were allowed to create their own top 10 list for the NBA Draft, we’d likely see a wide variety of rankings. The NBA Draft is always a time of speculation and excitement for fans and analysts. During this period, many make predictions about who will and will not make the list based on individual perspectives.

This year, Nolan Traore is one of the best talents, making waves after some spectacular games in the playoffs. Some fans consider him a better fit for the list than Kasparas Jakucionis. Can we all agree that Nolan is a better pick than Jakucionis? Who truly deserves to be on the list? Let’s dive in.

Nolan Traore – The star from Paris

Nolan’s start in basketball is relatively different from that of other big names his age in the NBA. He gained visibility on the NBA radar early, at just 18 years old. He established himself as a key player and starting point guard for Saint-Quentin, competing at a high level in the French Pro A league and the Basketball Champions League (BCL) against experienced professionals.

Nolan Traore became the record holder for most points in a single ANGT Finals game after he poured in 45 points and 9 assists in U18 PFBB INSEP Paris’s thrilling 101–96 victory over U18 FC Barcelona, sending the French team to the ANGT Championship Game. Truly, all this has solidified his name as a potential lottery pick for the Draft.

Playoffs Performance and the Top Ten Buzz

Fans’ and analysts’ cravings for Nolan to be in the top ten are not just based on popularity; his performance in the playoffs is the driving force behind the growing clamor.

Over the last 20 games, Traore has shown significant growth, averaging 13.6 points and 4.6 assists—a notable improvement from his earlier struggles in the season.

Traore VS Jakucionis.

Traore and Jakucionis have been placed side by side in a debate about who should make the list. Jakucionis’s size and versatility as a combo guard—capable of playing both on and off the ball—give him an advantage in the eyes of some scouts, particularly for teams looking for a multifaceted backcourt player.

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But Nolan’s versatility is something that may give him the edge over Jakucionis. No wonder one of his loyal fans on Reddit said, “If he doesn’t go top 10, people are gonna be kicking themselves. He’s a way better prospect than Jakucionis to me.”

His recent performance shows that he can play under pressure, and overall, he has earned the right to be in the top 10.

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