Photo: Brooklyn Nets/X

Brooklyn Nets rookie Nolan Traore is entering his first NBA season with a blend of confidence, humility, and determination.

At just 19 years old, the French guard has already experienced the demands of professional basketball, having played last season with Saint Quentin in France, and he believes that step gave him a strong foundation for the challenges ahead.

“The fact that I was able to play professionally last year obviously helped me; it just made me even more prepared for this,” Traore told BeBasket, reflecting on the transition to the NBA.

Competing against older, seasoned players overseas, he explained, allowed him to adjust to the physicality and pace that he now faces in the world’s toughest league.

Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez sees real promise in his new guard’s offensive game, particularly his ability to pressure defenses.

“His drives to the basket aren’t just good for scoring, but also for drawing the defense and finding a teammate open on the opposite 3-point line,” Fernandez said, emphasizing how Traore’s style of play can create opportunities beyond his own scoring.

For Traore, the expectations tied to his rookie year are something he embraces. He knows what it will take to compete on a nightly basis across a long 82-game season.

“It just means I have to be the fastest guy on the floor. Every single game – and there are 82 of them. That’s a lot, and I just have to take care of my body,” he explained, acknowledging the physical and mental demands that come with the NBA schedule.

Though his Summer League debut was rocky – finishing with 7 points on 30% shooting – Traore remains unfazed.

“We all go through training camps like this,” he said, pointing out that early struggles are part of the adjustment process.

Confident in his abilities, he is focused on proving his value when the real games begin.

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