IOWA CITY, Iowa – Manhattan College transfer Seydou Traore (SAY-Doo Tray-Orrie) has signed a scholarship tender with the University of Iowa men’s basketball team, it was announced Tuesday by head coach Fran McCaffery. Traore will have three years of eligibility with the Hawkeyes.
During his freshman season with the Jaspers, the 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward earned All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie Team honors after averaging 11.9 points and 8.1 rebounds to go along with 62 assists and 34 blocks. He shot .433 from the field and 80 percent from the free throw stripe in 32.4 minutes per game.
Traore was the only player in the MAAC with 300+ points, 200+ rebounds, 60+ assists, 40+ steals and 30+ blocks. His 1.3 blocks per game led the league and he ranked second in the conference in rebounds, eighth in steals and 14th in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Traore led all freshman nationally in rebounding for much of the season before finishing third at 8.2 rebounds per game.
“We are excited to welcome Seydou to the Iowa basketball family,” said McCaffery. “He has a complete skill set with his overall athleticism. He’s a skilled player that will bring rebounding, defense and toughness to our team.”
“It felt right when I visited campus. Coach McCaffery knows what I want to accomplish, and it was a great fit for me to take my basketball career to another level. The Iowa system will be great to be a part of to get out and showcase my athleticism. I am excited to show I can play in any conference, win games and display my complete skill set.”
Seydou Traore
Traore appeared in 28 games for the Jaspers with 27 starts. He reached double figures in 18 games and had 10 games with 10+ rebounds, giving him six double-doubles – a figure that ranked third in the MAAC.
The New York, New York, native opened his career with five straight games in double figures, including a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double in his collegiate debut. He finished with a 16-point, eight-rebound game at No. 1 Kansas and a 13-point, eight-rebound contest at No. 5 UConn.
He scored 15+ points 10 times and had a career-high 20 points at Iona. Traore finished with nine points, 17 rebounds, four blocks and four assists against Farleigh Dickinson. He had three or more assists in 14 games and three or more steals seven times.
“It felt right when I visited campus,” said Traore. “Coach McCaffery knows what I want to accomplish, and it was a great fit for me to take my basketball career to another level. The Iowa system will be great to be a part of to get out and showcase my athleticism. I am excited to show I can play in any conference, win games and display my complete skill set.”
Originally from Mali, Traore played for the New York Lightning and New York Dragon AAU teams and he attended Our Saviour Lutheran School in New York.
Traore is the second transfer and fourth player signed to join the Hawkeyes in 2024-25 along with Morehead State transfer Drew Thelwell and incoming freshmen Cooper Koch and Chris Tjado.
