2026 Recruiting: Abdou Toure gets visits from UConn, Arkansas and Providence

[HooperScooper]

Hearst Media article. Have to start another thread since the others are locked. Let's try to keep this on topic so Tom doesn't have to lock this one too.

“In terms of UConn, they are really explaining why they are the best place for Abdou,” Shea said. “They are really honest about where Abdou’s game is, where they want to see it go and why they believe they are the ones who can get him there. They are very anxious to get Abdou on campus and are very confident he will have a great visit. They are proud of the culture they have created in their program."

I think this link without a paywall should work but if not I provided the alternate access. Just for @RuffRuff. 😂

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/gametimect/boys-basketball/article/abdou-toure-visits-uconn-providence-arkansas-21035740.php

Alternate access:

CT basketball star Abdou Toure, a top-50 recruit, gets visits from UConn, Arkansas and Providence​

 

[HooperScooper]

Just something I was thinking about. I'm sure one of UConn's pitches to Toure is he can stay home and play in front of family and friends. Can the UConn staff get Clingan on a Zoom call with them and Toure so that Clingan can talk about how it benefitted him to stay home and play at UConn? Wasn't sure if that was legal or not. Although there don't seem to be any NCAA rules with recruiting these days.

 

[Lafayette]

If actually visits from these teams, Hurley can just get in the car, pickup DC at the airport and head to Toure’s crib.

Of course the other coach’s have to fly in so likely will see that and sigh.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Clingan would be a perfect ambassador here because he can talk about how he didn’t even start in 22-23 and the staff still had a plan for him to be in contention to be a first round pick his freshman year.

 

[Samoo]

Clingan would be a perfect ambassador here because he can talk about how he didn’t even start in 22-23 and the staff still had a plan for him to be in contention to be a first round lottery pick his freshman year.

FIFY

 

[UConnTrumbull]

FWIW, and it might be nothing, but providence twitter basically saying AT is there’s.

 

[BGesus4]

FWIW, and it might be nothing, but providence twitter basically saying AT is there’s.

For his sake, I hope that’s not true

 

[FfldCntyFan]

FWIW, and it might be nothing, but providence twitter basically saying AT is there’s.

They do have as good as chance as anyone.

 

[ec33]

They do have as good as chance as anyone.

It goes without saying, yet it never fails to be said.

 

[auror]

They appear to be recruiting him the hardest.

 

[KingAG]

FWIW, and it might be nothing, but providence twitter basically saying AT is there’s.

A couple of weeks ago Bama was the word.

 

[UCTitleTown]

Most of you probably know that I've been Toure's biggest advocate on this board. However, after our coaches visited him and he immediately talked about other schools he wants to visit, I've come to believe he won't be a Husky. Sad for me to say that.

 

[KingAG]

Most of you probably know that I've been Toure's biggest advocate on this board. However, after our coaches visited him and he immediately talked about other schools he wants to visit, I've come to believe he won't be a Husky. Sad for me to say that.

He’s never been enamored with being a Husky. I tried to prepare you all months ago.

 

[80shusky]

Hearst Media article. Have to start another thread since the others are locked. Let's try to keep this on topic so Tom doesn't have to lock this one too.

“In terms of UConn, they are really explaining why they are the best place for Abdou,” Shea said. “They are really honest about where Abdou’s game is, where they want to see it go and why they believe they are the ones who can get him there. They are very anxious to get Abdou on campus and are very confident he will have a great visit. They are proud of the culture they have created in their program."

I think this link without a paywall should work but if not I provided the alternate access. Just for @RuffRuff. 😂

https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/gametimect/boys-basketball/article/abdou-toure-visits-uconn-providence-arkansas-21035740.php

Alternate access:

CT basketball star Abdou Toure, a top-50 recruit, gets visits from UConn, Arkansas and Providence​

Thanks Scooper, you've been killing it.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

I think it comes down to assured playing time. With the portal now it’s more of a risk to go with an unproven freshman. Providence would be a nice fit for him.

 

[RuffRuff]

He’s never been enamored with being a Husky. I tried to prepare you all months ago.

Word here is that it's a financial thing - staff doesn't think feel he's worth nearly as much as he thinks he is. This one will be about economics. I highly doubt he lands in Storrs.

 

[KingAG]

Word here is that it's a financial thing - staff doesn't think feel he's worth nearly as much as he thinks he is. This one will be about economics. I highly doubt he lands in Storrs.

If I felt like going back to find it I would. But I heard this and told everyone about this as well this time last year. If the money was the same UConn would be considered. If anyone pays him more he’s not coming here. We’d have to outbid everyone else. Because he really doesn’t want to stay in state. It’s why I don’t think he’s choosing PC either. Just as close to New Haven as Storrs. But we’ll see

 

[HooperScooper]

Word here is that it's a financial thing - staff doesn't think feel he's worth nearly as much as he thinks he is. This one will be about economics. I highly doubt he lands in Storrs.

I'd imagine this is going to be an issue with every school during recruiting. How much money do you give an unproven high school kid? It's why a lot of highly ranked recruits may wait as long as possible before committing. They're going to leverage schools against each other.

 

[auror]

It’s why I don’t think he’s choosing PC either. Just as close to New Haven as Storrs. But we’ll see

Kim English really needs a win and is likely willing to pay more for it.

 

[Fan1978]

Word here is that it's a financial thing - staff doesn't think feel he's worth nearly as much as he thinks he is. This one will be about economics. I highly doubt he lands in Storrs.

Maybe he preps at pc until he is ready for prime time

 

[ucp990411]

I think it comes down to assured playing time. With the portal now it’s more of a risk to go with an unproven freshman. Providence would be a nice fit for him.

I think it comes down to assured playing time. With the portal now it’s more of a risk to go with an unproven freshman. Providence would be a nice fit for him.

One year under Kim English then to the portal

 

[FriarJ]

Kim English really needs a win and is likely willing to pay more for it.

That’s probably true, I mean he has managed to get the #1 ranked shooting guard in the class to leave the state of Florida and take an official to PC. PC is obviously willing to spend money. Big money.

 

[auror]

That’s probably true, I mean he has managed to get the #1 ranked shooting guard in the class to leave the state of Florida and take an official to PC. PC is obviously willing to spend money. Big money.

The Holt stuff is blowing my mind a bit.

 

[FriarJ]

The Holt stuff is blowing my mind a bit.

I know right? I saw it and was in disbelief and then to read the Dushawn London article saying that PC is a factor, and then a day later he announces the visit. Hard to believe but here we are. Things have obviously changed in this new world we see in CBB.

 

[KingAG]

Kim English really needs a win and is likely willing to pay more for it.

Touchè. Definitely could be a factor

 

[RuffRuff]

I'd imagine this is going to be an issue with every school during recruiting. How much money do you give an unproven high school kid? It's why a lot of highly ranked recruits may wait as long as possible before committing. They're going to leverage schools against each other.

Also may behoove schools to not want to commit to too many freshmen. In a year to year market, unless you darned well know that kid can contribute at a high level year one, or is in it for long haul development, why even bother? Right now the portal is where you get the large majority of your upcoming year winning players. I don't necessarily know who benefits more by an early commit - the program or the player. My guess is the program, because they can stock their talent as needed, see how their current batch of players make out, then decide to stick with frosh or recruit over in portal.

 

[Husky68]

Also may behoove schools to not want to commit to too many freshmen. In a year to year market, unless you darned well know that kid can contribute at a high level year one, or is in it for long haul development, why even bother? Right now the portal is where you get the large majority of your upcoming year winning players. I don't necessarily know who benefits more by an early commit - the program or the player. My guess is the program, because they can stock their talent as needed, see how their current batch of players make out, then decide to stick with frosh or recruit over in portal.

Part of what I'm not sure how works is, so you pay up to get freshman and he does well, do you still have to out bid other schools for his sophomore season? Then why pay up freshman year if doesn't give you advantage keeping him for next year, think it was advantage for Ball and Stewart (Ross also but he wasn't as hot a commodity), even for 3rd year. Coaches need to judge players and themselves, freshman who left after last year were in bad place vs. playing time so combination of good guys staying/coming in and them not seeing playing time/development for this year (and maybe coaches seeing same thing).
Will be interesting to see how Stewart and Ross fair this year (assuming don't go pro) and how they handle portal or not next year (even Ball if he doesn't go pro). Also, any of the freshman would don't go pro and show out some this year. Really is interesting dynamics.

 

[RuffRuff]

Part of what I'm not sure how works is, so you pay up to get freshman and he does well, do you still have to out bid other schools for his sophomore season? Then why pay up freshman year if doesn't give you advantage keeping him for next year, think it was advantage for Ball and Stewart (Ross also but he wasn't as hot a commodity), even for 3rd year. Coaches need to judge players and themselves, freshman who left after last year were in bad place vs. playing time so combination of good guys staying/coming in and them not seeing playing time/development for this year (and maybe coaches seeing same thing).
Will be interesting to see how Stewart and Ross fair this year (assuming don't go pro) and how they handle portal or not next year (even Ball if he doesn't go pro). Also, any of the freshman would don't go pro and show out some this year. Really is interesting dynamics.

Pretty sure NIL is year to year. Net net, you pay a frosh year one with not much ROI, he can then also blow out year 2. Lose lose. You don't get any value or development return. We got nothing out of Abraham & Nowell as an example, not sure what we paid them. Whatever we did pay them was likely better suited for portal depth at the guard.

It's why many are arguing for multi year contracts.

I think the fact Stew & Ross came back this year means they're wed to the program. Stew would be silly to leave as he has a starting role sitting right there for his to take. Ross could as well if he shows a leap.

 

[UCTitleTown]

Whatever happens, I want Toure to go outside the Big East if he doesn't go to UConn. He's going to be a monster, and I don't want us facing another CT kid with something to prove to the winningest program in the past 25 years.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I'm not about to question anyone's character if I don't know the person. If he ends up here great, if not, so be it. We will be well positioned to make a run either way.

If he's looking for the best payout, no money at all or anything between, that's entirely up to him and his family.

I won't knock Dybansta for the path he chose (I defy anyone to say they wouldn't have considered the same if they had the opportunity) and I won't knock this kid if he places a priority in what he'll get out of the school outside of coaching.