Completed Event: Men's Basketball versus No. 9-Seed Cincinnati (1st Round) on March 10, 2026 , Loss , 66, to, 73
Final Score
Men's Basketball
66
vs No. 9-Seed Cincinnati (1st Round)
73
The University of Utah Athletics
Featuring the Runnin’ Utes: Ibi Traore
1/11/2025 10:58 AM | Men's Basketball
Traore is one of two true freshmen and one of six international players on this year's Runnin' Utes squad
Being just one of two true freshmen on this year's Runnin' Utes squad, Ibi Traore is learning the speed and intensity of college basketball from a different perspective than many other freshmen this year.
Traore was born and raised in Bamako, Mali, the largest country in Western Africa, spending most of his childhood in Mali as his journey in sports began. Traore's earliest memories of playing sports was soccer at age six and later picked up basketball around 10-years-old. As his career began to take shape, Traore joined the Association Sportif de Basquetbal for two years.
As his game enhanced, Traore moved to Orlando, Florida, to compete at West Oaks Academy. In an extreme transition across the globe, it was challenging for the young hooper. The journey across the Atlantic Ocean stretched 7,700 miles away from home.
"One of the things I was struggling most with was that it was my first time being away from my family and the food, that was a big difference," Traore said.
While the global move created challenges off the court, it was also a test to prove his game on the court in the United States and compete at the highest level.
"It was hard because basketball in Mali's not really like basketball here in the United States. When I got to West Oaks, I was far behind everybody else. I was trying to catch up. I had to stay in the gym after practice, and then I come before practice. So, I had to put a lot of work in."
After three years with the Flames while averaging 18 points per game in his senior season, it was time for Traore to commit somewhere to play college ball. As a unanimous three-star recruit, he had committed and signed to play for the Oregon Ducks, however after reopening his recruitment, the Runnin' Utes saw a chance to get their guy.
"I just told my uncle, I want to play basketball. I don't mind where I go, either Division One, Division Two, I just want to play. Coach Evans spoke to me and told me to take a visit to Utah. And I came here, and the coaches told me a lot of good things about the program, and I just committed on the spot."
Despite an eagerness to get onto the court, Traore will spend his first season of college hoops sidelined with a season-ending injury. While support rains in from his teammates and coaches, none mean more than the encouragement of his family.
"They don't know a lot about my basketball journey, but they'll always support me. If I tell them the game and the sport, they give me a lot of good advice even though they've never played a sport in their lives."
While Traore won't be on the court this season, he's active on the bench supporting the team as it embarks in its first season in the Big 12.
In their second home Big 12 contest of the season, the Runnin' Utes welcome in Oklahoma State to try to capture their first conference victory of the season.
Traore was born and raised in Bamako, Mali, the largest country in Western Africa, spending most of his childhood in Mali as his journey in sports began. Traore's earliest memories of playing sports was soccer at age six and later picked up basketball around 10-years-old. As his career began to take shape, Traore joined the Association Sportif de Basquetbal for two years.
As his game enhanced, Traore moved to Orlando, Florida, to compete at West Oaks Academy. In an extreme transition across the globe, it was challenging for the young hooper. The journey across the Atlantic Ocean stretched 7,700 miles away from home.
"One of the things I was struggling most with was that it was my first time being away from my family and the food, that was a big difference," Traore said.
While the global move created challenges off the court, it was also a test to prove his game on the court in the United States and compete at the highest level.
"It was hard because basketball in Mali's not really like basketball here in the United States. When I got to West Oaks, I was far behind everybody else. I was trying to catch up. I had to stay in the gym after practice, and then I come before practice. So, I had to put a lot of work in."
After three years with the Flames while averaging 18 points per game in his senior season, it was time for Traore to commit somewhere to play college ball. As a unanimous three-star recruit, he had committed and signed to play for the Oregon Ducks, however after reopening his recruitment, the Runnin' Utes saw a chance to get their guy.
"I just told my uncle, I want to play basketball. I don't mind where I go, either Division One, Division Two, I just want to play. Coach Evans spoke to me and told me to take a visit to Utah. And I came here, and the coaches told me a lot of good things about the program, and I just committed on the spot."
Despite an eagerness to get onto the court, Traore will spend his first season of college hoops sidelined with a season-ending injury. While support rains in from his teammates and coaches, none mean more than the encouragement of his family.
"They don't know a lot about my basketball journey, but they'll always support me. If I tell them the game and the sport, they give me a lot of good advice even though they've never played a sport in their lives."
While Traore won't be on the court this season, he's active on the bench supporting the team as it embarks in its first season in the Big 12.
In their second home Big 12 contest of the season, the Runnin' Utes welcome in Oklahoma State to try to capture their first conference victory of the season.
Players Mentioned
F
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