FOUSSEYNI TRAORE NEWS

Traore's dominating run in second half leads BYU over Idaho 95-71

Fousseyni Traore had a career-high 29 points off the bench, including a personal 16-8 run, Richie Saunders added his career high of 26 points and BYU defeated Idaho 95-71

4 DAYS AGO • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Career-high 29 off bench Traore registered 29 points (11-12 FG, 7-7 FT), nine rebounds, two assists and one block in 23 minutes during Saturday's 95-71 victory over Idaho.

Impact Traore needed just 23 minutes off the bench to post a career-high 29 points on a nearly perfect night from the field. The senior center scored 20 of his 29 in the second half, including a stretch in the second half where he posted 16 points, four rebounds and a block in less than 5:30 of game time that helped the Cougars pull away. Traore was initially expected to start but has filled the same bench role that he assumed last season for 18 of the 26 games he played. Whether starting or coming off the bench, BYU plays a deep rotation that limited Traore to 18.3 minutes per game last season and has kept him at 19.5 minutes thus far this season. However, as evidenced Saturday, he does not need to play many minutes to fill up the box score.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Available vs. Central Arkansas Traore (undisclosed) will be available for Tuesday's contest against Central Arkansas, Greg Wrubell of BYU Athletics reports.

Impact Traore missed the last exhibition match against Colorado Christian as he tended to an undisclosed injury and even though he was not included in the starting rotation, his availability bodes well for his recovery moving forward. The senior center will look to get minutes off the bench during this matchup as he gets eased back into action.

NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Hopeful to play Week 1 Head coach Kevin Young indicated Wednesday that Traore will "hopefully" play during Tuesday's contest against Central Arkansas, Jay Drew of DeseretNews.com reports.

Impact Traore, along with Dallin Hall (undisclosed) were held out of this exhibition match due to precautionary reasons, providing more time recover and be ready. for the season-opener. The senior center averaged 10.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists on 18.3 minutes across 26 appearances (8 starts) during the 2023-24 season.

OCTOBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Traore inside, Saunders outside lead No. 20 BYU to 87-73 win over UCF in Big 12 Tournament

Fousseyni Traore had 14 points and 10 rebounds, Richie Saunders scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half and No. 20 BYU beat UCF 87-73 in the second round of the Big 12 Tourna...

MARCH 13 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Posts first double-double Traore recorded 14 points (4-5 FG, 6-8 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal in 20 minutes during Wednesday's 87-73 victory over UCF.

Impact Traore posted his first double-double of the season and added three blocks during BYU's second-round victory. He and Aly Khalifa are forming a fantastic one-two punch at center for the Cougars with Traore working as the traditional big while Khalifa serves as a point pivot. Traore has found his groove over the last four games, contributing 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 21.0 minutes during that stretch.

MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE

Fousseyni Traore's 19 points lead No. 20 BYU past Oklahoma State Fousseyni Traore scored 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting to help No.20 BYU notch an 85-71 victory over Oklahoma State in Big 12 play on Saturda...

MARCH 10 • SACBEE.COM

Fousseyni Traore's 19 points lead No. 20 BYU past Oklahoma State Fousseyni Traore scored 19 points on 8-of-11 shooting to help No.20 BYU notch an 85-71 victory over Oklahoma State in Big 12 play on Saturda...

MARCH 10 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

No. 20 BYU faces No. 6 Iowa State following Traore's 21-point performance

No. 20 BYU takes on the No. 6 Iowa State Cyclones after Fousseyni Traore scored 21 points in the Cougars' 87-75 win over the TCU Horned Frogs

MARCH 5 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Traore scores 22, Knell adds 20 to help BYU erase 17-point deficit and beat TCU 87-75

Fousseyni Traore scored 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting, Trevin Knell added 20 points, including four 3-pointers, and BYU erased a 17-point halftime deficit as the Cougars beat TCU 8...

MARCH 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Leads Cougars with 21 points Traore produced 21 points (8-11 FG, 5-8 FT), seven rebounds, one block and one steal in 23 minutes during Saturday's 87-75 win over TCU.

Impact Traore came off the bench to post 21 points and seven boards in just 23 minutes of action. Despite coming off the bench eight times in the last 10 games, it's the fifth time Traore has topped 15 points, third time he's topped 20 and fifth time he's posted at least six rebounds during that stretch. Over the last 10, Traore is averaging 13.6 points and 5.8 rebounds in just 19.9 minutes played per contest.

MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE

Produces in bench role Traore registered 14 points (5-8 FG, 4-9 FT), eight rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 20 minutes during Saturday's 72-66 win over Kansas State.

Impact Traore returned to the bench with the return of Aly Khalifa, who had missed the previous two games with an illness. The two split time evenly, each playing 20 minutes while Traore maintained his run of great play, finishing just two rebounds shy of a double-double. Traore had a slow return after missing seven games due to a hamstring issue, but he's found his footing over the last four, starting two of those games and producing 18.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.5 blocks on 63.8% shooting over 24.3 minutes per game

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Fousseyni Traore leads No. 21 BYU past Kansas State Fousseyni Traore collected a team-high 14 points and eight rebounds, helping lead No.21 BYU to a 72-66 win over Kansas State on Saturday in...

FEBRUARY 11 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

West Virginia can't overcome Fousseyni Traore's season high in loss to BYU Despite only averaging 8.4 points per game entering Saturday evening’s contest, BYU junior forward Fousseyni Traore dominated against West V...

FEBRUARY 4 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Fousseyni Traore scores season-high 24 points, No. 22 BYU beats West Virginia 86-73

Fousseyni Traore scored a season-high 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead No. 22 BYU to an 86-73 victory over West Virginia

FEBRUARY 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gets start Traore will start in place of Aly Khalifa (illness) in Saturday's matchup at West Virginia, Greg Wrubell of BYU Athletics reports.

Impact Traore will return to the starting lineup for the first time since November, with Aly Khalifa not traveling with the team to West Virginia due to an illness. The junior forward averages 8.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 0.7 steals on 15.5 minutes per game this year, and should see his opportunities increase with the starting nod.

FEBRUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

16 points in just 17 minutes Traore finished with 16 points (6-7 FG, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 17 minutes during Saturday's 84-72 win over Texas.

Impact Traore needed just 17 minutes to post 16 points, six boards and a couple of blocks in the win over Texas. The 17 minutes are a high for the junior forward since returning to action Jan. 6 after missing seven straight games with a hamstring issue. After starting all 33 games last year, the junior forward had started the first six games of the season for BYU prior to dealing with the hammy and is amping up his playing time as he moves toward a possible return to the starting lineup. While the injury has caused a dip in his production, down from 12.9 points and 7.8 rebounds to 8.4 and 4.3 this season in 9.3 fewer minutes per contest, Traore is posting career-high marks in field-goal percentage (64.5%) and free-throw percentage (82.6%).

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Available to face Texas Tech Traore (hamstring) is available to face Texas Tech on Saturday, Jay Drew of DeseretNews.com reports.

Impact Traore hasn't been at full strength since early in the season, and while he missed the Tuesday clash against Iowa State, he's ready to feature here -- though he will likely do it off the bench. Either way, his return will undoubtedly add some much-needed frontcourt depth for a BYU team that won't have Noah Waterman (concussion) available.

JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Could return to action Saturday Traore (hamstring) could retake the floor Saturday versus Texas Tech, Greg Wrubell of BYU Athletics reports.

Impact Traore hasn't been at full strength since early in the season but appears to have a good shot at returning after sitting out Tuesday's game versus Iowa State. Traore may again settle into a bench role, even if he's cleared for action.

JANUARY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Sidelined by hamstring again Traore will not play in Tuesday's game against Iowa State due to a hamstring issue, Greg Wrubell of BYU Athletics reports.

Impact It's unclear if Traore suffered a setback or if BYU is opting to exercise and abundance of caution with load management for the forward. Traore has compiled just 26 minutes across three games since returning from a seven-game absence due to his initial hamstring injury. He has yet to return to the starting lineup since Nov. 24, but he began the season averaging 11.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists in a central role.

JANUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Out but could return soon Traore (hamstring) is out Saturday against Wyoming but is inching closer toward returning to action, Mitch Harper of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.

Impact Traore has been out since November due to a nagging hamstring injury, but he has been practicing in recent days, so his return is getting closer. His earliest chance to return to the hardwood would come against Cincinnati on Jan. 6, but it seems BYU are being quite cautious with his return to action.

DECEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Game-time decision Saturday Traore (hamstring) will be a game-time decision during Saturday's matchup with Wyoming, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.

Impact Traore, who has missed the last six games with a hamstring injury, will remain a game-time call ahead of Saturday's showdown with the Cowboys. The 6-foot-6 junior has started in six games this season, averaging 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, two assists and one steal on 20.2 minutes per game. Traore would presumably return to his starting spot when he is able to make his return for the Cougars.

DECEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out vs Denver Traore (hamstring) will remain out Wednesday night when the Cougars take on Denver, Greg Wrubell of BYU Athletics reports.

Impact Traore has missed the past three games, and it appears he'll stretch that number to four against Denver. The starting forward was averaging 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists when he was healthy. Traore's next chance to play will come against Georgia State on Saturday, Dec. 16.

DECEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Traore (hamstring) will remain sidelined during Saturday's matchup with Utah, Jarom Jordan of BYU Sports Nation reports.

Impact Traore will miss his third-consecutive game as the result of a hamstring issue. The 6-foot-6 junior has averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, two assists and one steal on 20.2 minutes per game (six starts). Traore will have his next opportunity to return Wednesday against Denver, but his expected status is unknown.

DECEMBER 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable at Utah Traore (hamstring) is questionable for BYU's game Saturday at Utah, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

Impact Traore has been unable to participate in BYU's team practices since he suffered the hamstring injury. Should Traore be available, he prevents a three-game absence. But should he sit out, Aly Khalifa is expected to serve as part of BYU's starting frontcourt again, like he did during Traore's previous two absences.

DECEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE