Utah basketball losing former 3-star recruit to transfer portal

Ibrahima Traore, a 6-foot-9 forward, plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal after two seasons with the Runnin' Utes.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:20pm

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Ibrahima Traore, a former three-star recruit from Mali, will enter the NCAA transfer portal after spending the past two seasons with the University of Utah basketball team. Traore, a 6-foot-9 forward, appeared in only 9 games this past season due to injury and sat out the entire 2024-25 campaign after suffering a season-ending injury prior to the start of the year.

Why it matters

Traore's departure is the latest in a string of Utah players entering the transfer portal, as the Runnin' Utes look to rebuild their roster after a disappointing season. The team will need to replace several key contributors, including their leading rebounder, and add more size and depth to the frontcourt.

The details

Traore was a highly-touted recruit coming out of West Oaks Academy in Florida, where he averaged 18 points per game his senior season. He originally committed to Oregon in 2023 before joining the Utah program eight months later. In his two seasons with the Utes, Traore only appeared in 9 games due to injury, tallying 12 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals in 56 total minutes.

  • Traore became the seventh Utah player to enter the transfer portal prior to the 15-day transfer window, which is set to open on April 7.
  • Traore sat out the entire 2024-25 season after suffering a season-ending injury the week before the start of the year.

The players

Ibrahima Traore

A 6-foot-9 forward who spent the past two seasons with the University of Utah basketball team after originally committing to Oregon. Traore was a former three-star recruit out of West Oaks Academy in Florida.

Dan Lanning

The head coach of the Oregon Ducks, who originally landed Traore's commitment in November 2023 before he ultimately joined the Utah program.

Craig Smith

The head coach of the Utah Runnin' Utes, who Traore joined in 2023 after decommitting from Oregon.

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What’s next

Utah will need to be active in the transfer portal over the coming weeks to fill the voids created by the departures of Traore and several other players. The team will look to add more size and depth to the frontcourt, as well as replace key contributors in the backcourt.

The takeaway

Traore's decision to enter the transfer portal is the latest blow to a Utah basketball program that has seen a significant exodus of players this offseason. The Runnin' Utes will have their work cut out for them as they look to rebuild their roster and compete in the Big 12 next season.