Report: 5-star Yohan Traore, former LSU commit, down to 4 schools

It’s been less than 24 hours since Yohan Traore of Dream City (Ariz.) Christian decommitted from LSU after the firing of Will Wade, and he’s already planning another decision. According to Sports Illustrated’s Jason Jordan, the five-star big man is down to four schools and will make a commitment next week. Texas Tech, Auburn, Gonzaga, and Michigan are the programs in contention.

“I would like to first thank Coach Wade and the staff for giving me an opportunity to be apart and play for Louisiana State University. Was really looking forward to competing for the LSU Tigers and playing for the great fan base that LSU has. Due to the recent changes within the basketball program, my family and I have decided to reopen my recruitment. Looking forward to finding a new place I can call home,” Traore said in a statement to On3.

Traore is ranked as the No. 17 overall prospect in the 2022 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On3’s evaluators are much higher on French big man, ranking him 6th overall in the class.

LSU has lost its entire 2022 class, as five-star Julian Phillips and four-star Devin Ree both reopened their recruitment in recent days. Marvel Allen, a top-20 prospect in the 2023 class, also decommitted from LSU last weekend.

Traore wasting no time

“I’ve already taken all of my visits, so I won’t be doing any of that,” Traore said to SI. “I’m going to talk things over with my people and make a decision. It’ll be next week. I don’t want to wait any longer.”

Traore has already taken all five of his official visits, meaning he doesn’t have any trips remaining. Of the four schools he’s choosing from, Traore has only officially visited Texas Tech and Michigan. It’s interesting to see him include Gonzaga on this list, considering the Zags didn’t even make his top ten.

With that being said, most would assume either Texas Tech and Michigan are the frontrunners since those are the two schools Traore has visited, but not so fast…

Auburn the favorite?

I would bank on Auburn and Bruce Pearl here. The Tigers were viewed as the “runner-up” to land Traore’s commitment the first time around and there is a real need for a skilled big with the presumed departure of Jabari Smith and Walker Kessler.

Traore also took a secret visit to Auburn last week, according to Jeffrey Lee. More on that here.

Here is what Traore had to say about the Auburn Tigers in a recent interview with Auburn Live’s Jeffrey Lee prior to his commitment to LSU:

“I talk to Coach Bruce Pearl and Coach Wes a lot,” Traore said. “Auburn is a great school and I really like the coaches. I think it would be a great fit…I have watched Auburn and Jabari Smith. They’ve been doing great and I really like the way they use Jabari with posting up and isolation. I think I could be that guy who could be able to go in and do the same.”

Scouting Report on Yohan Traore

“Strong frame. Broad shoulders. Moves feet well laterally. Can switch on screens, move feet with a perimeter guy. Good weakside shot blocker. Is comfortable facing up, can rip through and get downhill. Has developed his jump shot from 3-point range; is now a threat. An explosive vertical athlete. Runs the floor well. A solid rebounder can drift in and out at times here. Is undersized for a five. Moves in a unique manner for a 6-10. A native of France.” – Jamie Shaw, On3’s National Recruiting Analyst