Wasatch Academy’s Fousseyni Traoré Signs With BYU Basketball

PROVO, Utah – Wasatch Academy forward Fousseyni Traore has signed his letter of intent to play for BYU basketball.

“Fouss” is a recruit in the class of 2021. Originally from the country of Mali in Africa, Fousseyni has prepped at Wasatch Academy for two years.

Fousseyni received an offer from #BYU in August of 2019. Also had an offer from Seton Hall. Talented prospect. #BYU building a nice pipeline at Wasatch Academy with Richie Saunders, Caleb Lohner, and now Fous Traore. #BYUHoops @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 19, 2020

Fousseyni received an offer from BYU in August of 2019 and has been a recruit that the Cougar coaching staff led by head coach Mark Pope has been pursuing for more than a year. Seton Hall from the Big East Conference and Dixie State are other schools that have reportedly extended offers to Traore.

“A great moment for ‘Fous,’ we’ve had a lot of deep talks — ups and downs, frustrating ones, good ones– you get really emotional thinking about his journey to America and just knowing that he actually fulfilled why he came to America for. It was a success. Now he’s moving on to the next chapter,” said Wasatch Academy head coach Paul Peterson during Fousseyni’s signing ceremony.

Welcome to the family, Fousseyni!! ✍️
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#BYUhoops #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/Zhxy9UYd3e

— BYU Basketball (@BYUbasketball) November 19, 2020

Listed at 6-foot-7, 235 pounds, Fousseyni has a 7-foot-1 wingspan and averaged 9.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last year for a Wasatch Academy team that featured BYU players Richie Saunders and Caleb Lohner and Michigan State’s Mady Sissoko.

“Fousseyni Traoré is one the kindest, most big-hearted and faithful people you will ever meet,” BYU coach Mark Pope said. “He is a big-bodied, barrel-chested, incredibly explosive power forward, who proved this summer that he is also effective off the bounce and from behind the three-point line.

“We are so blessed as a team and a staff to welcome this great young man to our program. He is going to be an extraordinary representative of his family, his home country of Mali, the university and Cougar Nation.”

On the AAU circuit, Traore plays for Jimmer Elite, also known as Utah Mountain Stars, and is coached by former BYU great Marty Haws.

BYU Basketball 2021 Recruiting Class

Jake Wahlin | Timpview High School

Fousseyni Traore | Wasatch Academy

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper and the KSL Sports app.