Nolan Traoré and Noah Penda headline nominees for Best Young Player of the Season in Betclic ELITE

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.

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Arthur Puybertier

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).

PLAYER PROFILE

Nolan TRAORÉ

Position(s):Point Guard

Height:191 cm

Age:18 years (05/28/2006)

Nationality:

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.

PLAYER PROFILE

Noah PENDA

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