After playing basketball professionally for about half a decade, the 21-year-old Créteil native Armel Traoré recently achieved a career milestone, signing a two-way contract with Armel, the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, on July 5, 2024.
Growing up, Armel always admired the famous basketball player Kobe Bryant and aspired to be like him.
Fast-forward to 2024, and he finally succeeded in accomplishing his dream of playing in the NBA and joining the NBA’s team, which his idol Kobe Bryant represented for two decades.
Armel Traoré’s rapid rise in the basketball ranks within a short period wouldn’t have been possible without his parents’ unwavering support.
They introduced him to sports while he was young, leading him to where he is today.
On July 1, 2024, while expressing his happiness for his new journey to the NBA via Instagram, he thanked everyone who backed him up during his basketball journey, including his family. In the caption, he wrote,
First and foremost, I want to thank my family, my friends, my agents for the great amount of support,and also most importantly, Al Hamdoulilah for everything🙏🏽
Further, he mentioned his idol Kobe Bryant, and lastly, he thanked the Lakers for giving him an opportunity to play for the team and showcase his strength as a basketball player.
Armel Traoré’s younger brother, Nolan, also plays basketball!
The parents of Armel Traoré, who have yet to make a public appearance, appear to be pretty enthusiastic about sports since both their sons pursued their careers as athletes.
While their older son Armel is already committed to playing for the NBA team, their younger son Nolan began playing basketball professionally in 2021 with Centre Fédéral de Basketball.
Born on May 28, 2006, Nolan was introduced to basketball when he was four years old. Over the years, he has played for several clubs, including COC Chennevières and Saint-Charles Charenton.
He now plays for the French basketball club Saint-Quentin Basket-Ball of the LNB Élite and the Basketball Champions League. But Nolan’s ultimate aim is to play NBA with his older brother.
Based on his playing strategy and the records he made, many basketball analysts anticipate that Nolan could make an extensive career in the NBA. In this regard, Agar-Johnson said,
If he continues to play in the way he has been doing so far, experts envision a long future in the NBA for the French teenager. I have Traore in the Top 5 on my board. With a more consistent shot, I see Traore as a starting NBA point guard sooner rather than later, with a potential All-Star campaign somewhere in his first five years in the league.”
Via FIBA
Nolan also has an international career. He represented his nation at the 2022 FIBA U16 and 2023 FIBA U18 European Championships.
Seeing both sons, Armel and Nolan Traoré, doing well in basketball must have made their parents proud.
In case you didn’t know
- Armel Traoré was born in Créteil, France on Jabuary 23, 2003. He is currently in his early 20s.
- He grew up with his younger brother Nolan and sister Annaëlle, who plays at the Pôle Ile-de-France.
- Since starting his professional career, Armel has played for AS Monaco, ALM Evreux, Metropolitans 92, and ADA Blois.
