JSF Nanterre officially signs Ali Traore

JSF Nanterre bolstered its frontcourt by inking experienced big man Ali Traore to a one-year deal on Monday. Traore (2.08 meters, 28 years old) arrives from Alba Berlin, where he averaged 9.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in 6 Turkish Airlines Euroleague games last season. He started the 2012-13 season with Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar but only played two games before being released. Soon after Traore was signed by Crvena Zvezda Telekom Belgrade, but he didn't pass the medical tests and his signing was never effective. Traore is a player with previous Turkish Airlines Euroleague experience as he played with Asvel Lyon of France in 2001-02 and 2009-10 and later in Italy with Virtus Roma in 2010-11. He is also a member of the French national team and averaged 15.3 points and 7.1 rebounds in 13 Eurocup games during the 2011-12 season with Lokomotiv. He helped Asvel to win the French League title in 2009 and lift the Semaine des As trophy in 2010. Traore was chosen as the French League MVP in 2009-10.