Noah Penda named best young player of Betclic ELITE return phase
May 8, 2025
Arthur Puybertier
Nolan Traoré and Noah Penda headline nominees for Best Young Player of the Season in Betclic ELITE
Betclic ELITE - The LNB has revealed the five players nominated for the 2024-2025 Best Young Player award in Betclic ELITE. Among them, Nolan Traoré (Saint-Quentin) and Noah Penda (Le Mans) are considered favorites.
Photo Credit : Flavien Portat
Saint-Quentin point guard Nolan Traoré and Le Mans versatile wing Noah Penda are the two main favorites to win the Best Young Player award for the 2024-2025 Betclic ELITE season. The LNB officially announced the five nominees for this individual distinction on Thursday.
Five prospects watched this season
The Best Young Player trophy rewards players aged 21 or under (U21) who have made their mark on the regular season through their impact and progress. For the 2024-2025 season, five different profiles were selected.
The youngest nominee, Nolan Traoré (6’3″, 18), shined as point guard for Saint-Quentin averaging 11.3 points, 5.2 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 28 games. A promising season for the projected high NBA Draft pick, despite some inconsistency and his team SQBB struggling late in the season (10th with 12 wins and 16 losses).
2024-2025 Stats / Betclic ELITE
PTS
11.3
#40
REB
1.6
#172
AST
5.2
#8
Against him, Noah Penda (6’6″, 20) also impressed with Le Mans, averaging 10.2 points, 5 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 28 games. Very consistent in his contributions, the former INSEP player has established himself as a pillar on MSB’s wing.
Other nominees, Iranian Mohammad Amini (Nancy), Mohamed Diawara (Cholet) and Roman Domon (Gravelines-Dunkerque) also made their mark with their respective clubs. Amini (6.0 points, 2.7 rebounds) particularly showed solid play in his first full season in the top division.
For Cholet, Diawara (5.7 points, 3 rebounds) confirmed the potential previously seen in Poitiers, while Domon (5.6 points, 3 rebounds), a talented young wing, carved out an interesting role in BCM’s rotation.
Position(s):Shooting Guard / Small Forward
Height:199 cm
Age:20 years (01/07/2005)
Nationality:
2024-2025 Stats / Betclic ELITE
PTS
10.2
#62
REB
5.0
#19
AST
2.6
#52
A Traoré – Penda duel?
While each of the five players deserves their place among the finalists, the race for the trophy seems to come down to a duel between Nolan Traoré, SQBB’s gem, and Noah Penda, MSB’s reliable force. Answer in the coming weeks with the LNB’s official announcement of individual awards.
French basketball is full of talent 💎✨
🏆 Who do you think is the best young player of the season?#TrophéesLNB pic.twitter.com/e5iorpe7Kq
— Betclic ELITE (@Betclic_ELITE) May 8, 2025
Mohamed Diawara
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Noah Penda
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Mohammad Amini
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Roman Domon
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Nolan Traoré
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Betclic ELITE
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Gabriel Pantel-Jouve is the founder and editor-in-chief of BeBasket, which he has been running since 2010 (formerly known as Catch & Shoot). Having studied at the École Publique de Journalisme de Tours and two universities in North America, he has developed his expertise in French basketball, from the National League to amateur divisions, over the past 20 years. Alongside this, he is also involved in the development of clubs in the Montpellier area.
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