Another high-potential player joins ASVEL: Armel Traoré signs for two years
Armel Traoré (6’9″, 22) is ASVEL’s newest recruit. The small forward/power forward, 2023 U20 European champion, has signed a two-year contract with the Villeurbanne club. After playing in the G-League and briefly in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers, then in Liga Endesa with Manresa, he hopes to reach a new level in EuroLeague, which he will truly discover.
Welcome Armel! 🇫🇷
LDLC ASVEL continues building its roster and is happy to announce the signing of Armel Traoré for the next two seasons.
2023 U20 European Champion, formerly with the Mets, Blois, Los Angeles Lakers and more… pic.twitter.com/eT1sOsNw0a
— LDLC ASVEL (@LDLCASVEL) July 29, 2025
A promising yet eventful journey
Known for his rebounding impact and two-way activity, Armel Traoré had an eventful 2024-2025 season. After signing a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers following his undrafted NBA draft entry, he mainly played in G-League, averaging 14.6 points and 9.1 rebounds in 13 games. In the NBA, he made nine brief appearances (1.6 points and 1.7 rebounds).
Released in February 2025, the wing relaunched his career at Manresa, Spain, where he finished the season alongside Bodian Massa, who is also now at ASVEL. A new step in the journey of a player already well-versed in high-level competition despite his young age.
From INSEP to ASVEL, via Monaco, Évreux, Boulogne-Levallois and Blois
Before his American experience, Armel Traoré went through INSEP, where he dominated NM1 (15.4 points in 2020-2021) ahead of names like Ousmane Dieng and Brice Dessert. After joining Monaco, he was loaned to Évreux for playing time, then played for Metropolitans 92, becoming French league runner-up under Vincent Collet.
But during that same season, surgery kept him away from the courts for several months, which led him to seek a fresh start in Blois, where he stood out despite being unable to prevent the club’s relegation to Pro B.
A versatile profile for Villeurbanne’s roster
Nolan Traoré’s older brother, Armel arrives at ASVEL aiming to reach a new level. Very active on the boards, capable of defending multiple positions but still improving his long-range shooting, he likely comes to fill Andre Roberson’s departure. He will share the 3 and 4 positions with players like David Lighty, Melvin Ajinça, and Mbaye Ndiaye.
The Villeurbanne club, which is also looking to recruit a stretch 4/5, continues to shape an ambitious roster, where Armel Traoré’s potential could finally fully express itself.
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