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CLASS OF: 2003
SCHOOL: Louisville Moore HS, KY
SCHOOL: Dixie State JC, UT
HEIGHT AND WEIGHT: 6'2
POSITION: Forward
02-03 RATINGS:
ACADEMICS: Qualified
STATUS: Signed to Purdue
PRONUNCIATION: EYE-ah tray-OAR-ee
Aya Traore has a lengthy basketball resume, not limited to being a Kentucky
All-Star, playing for the African Junior National team, and named a junior
college All-American. The 6'2 small forward is an athlete with range, continuing
the trend of more athletic players on the Boilermaker roster.
Traore averaged 21.3 points as a junior college sophomore, ranking sixth among Division I
junior college players. She also averaged 5.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.1
blocked shots per game, shooting 54.1 percent from the field, 71.9 percent from the free
throw line, and 34.3 percent from the perimeter. Traore scored a season-high 33 points
against Utah Valley State, a season-high 10 rebounds against Eastern Utah, and a
season-high 10 steals against Southern Nevada. She led her team in field goal percentage
(.541), field goal attempts per game (15.4), field goals made (8.3), free throw attempts
per game (5.1), free throws made (3.7), points per game (21.3), assists per game (3.3),
steals per game (2.5), blocked shots per game (1.0), turnovers per game (5.0), offensive
rebounds per game (2.3), and minutes played (27.6). The Lady Rebels finished the season
with a 28-7 record and went 1-2 in the 2003 national championship tournament.
As a freshman, Traore averaged 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0
blocks per game for the 27-6 Lady Rebels. She had a season-high 36 points in her first
junior college game vs. Panola, and a season-high 13 rebounds vs. Utah Valley State. She
shot 45.5 percent from the field, 66.7 percent from the line and 26.8 percent from the
perimeter on 71 attempts. Aya led her team in field goal attempts per game (11.5), field
goals made per game (5.2), assists per game (3.1) and turnovers per game (4.3).
Aya Traore made an oral commitment on 4/11/2003, chosing Purdue over offers from
Georgia, Michigan State, Old Dominion, San Diego State, and Louisiana Tech. She plans
to major in Hospitality and Tourism Management, a program Purdue ranks the best in the
nation. Aya has a younger sister, Awa, who will join Dixie JC for the 2003-04 season. Awa
is a 6'0 forward.
Head coach Kristy Curry..."Aya is a perimeter player with great size,
athleticism and long-range shooting ability. She is a complement to the players
already in our program, but I believe that she will have the chance to make an
impact for us. On top of her talent, she is a quality person and has a great
work ethic." (April 18, 2003)
Dixie State assistant coach Ann Esplin..."She's an inside-outside type player.
She's big and she's thick. She's a strong girl. The thing with her, she'll find
a place to play. I can see her playing on the other side of Shereka (Wright),
and if that's the case, they'll be unstoppable." (April 13, 2003 - Journal
and Courier)
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