By: Justin Walker | WV Sports Chat
In a move that addresses one of WVU basketball’s roster needs, Utah junior forward Seydou Traore has officially committed to the Mountaineers out of the transfer portal. The commitment was announced by multiple media outlets, including On3/Rivals.
Traore brings a unique “Swiss Army Knife” skill set. He offers length, defensive versatility, and a high motor.
Who is Seydou Traore
Traore’s journey to Morgantown has been a true tour of college basketball. After a standout freshman season at Manhattan where he was a MAAC All-Freshman selection, he spent a year at Iowa before landing at Utah for the 2025-26 season.
At 6-foot-6 and 220 lbs, he is the prototypical “hybrid” forward. During his junior season with the Utes, he showcased his ability to impact the game in multiple columns of the stat sheet. He averaged 9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. He also averaged 2 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. While he is not an elite shooter, he proved to be more than capable. The Bronx, NY native shot a career high 33.3% from 3-point range last season.
Defensively, Traore has the lateral quickness to guard wings and the strength to hold his own against smaller power forwards. His length also allows him to close passing lanes more quickly.
Beyond the box score, Traore is known for impacting the game in other ways. He can get deflections, offensive rebounds, and transition sprints that don’t always show up in the PPG column but are vital in Ross Hodge’s system.
The New Look Mountaineers
Traore joins an increasingly impressive portal haul for WVU basketball. The Mountaineers have already added Florida State’s Martin Somerville, Boise State’s Javan Buchanan, Georgia Tech’s Mo Sylla and Butler’s Martin Bizjack. This does not even include the highly-touted freshmen class, which is now ranked in the top 15 nationally per ESPN. With Traore likely slotting into a starting wing or hybrid forward role, the WVU roster is beginning to look like a legitimate Big 12 contender.
Photo Credit: Utah Athletics via Seydou Traore on IG
