2025 Recruiting: Abdou Toure is MUST SEE TV! Best Guard in Connecticut Since Mustapha Heron!

[djct1999]

Imho u r over stating the value of prep school for a five star player
he’s played against good competition internationally, and the AAU season
His work with a personal trainer refining his game is probably more important than what he does in his next high school season the coach recently stated that they will be playing in two or three high-level tournaments against national competition next year
I also think there’s something important to be playing in front of crowds where there’s a real pressure to win
That’s generally not present at the prep school level

We can agree to disagree.

 

[husky429]

Imho u r over stating the value of prep school for a five star player
he’s played against good competition internationally, and the AAU season
His work with a personal trainer refining his game is probably more important than what he does in his next high school season the coach recently stated that they will be playing in two or three high-level tournaments against national competition next year
I also think there’s something important to be playing in front of crowds where there’s a real pressure to win
That’s generally not present at the prep school level

Disagreeing on 2/3 points. Personal trainers don't do much to improve kid's games. The 65 dribble, spin, drag step BS they teach doesn't translate to games for years. What Abdou needs is playing time, an aggressive drive to each side, decent screen footwork, and a smooth 3-point shot. Everything else is gravy. The international competition was also pretty low-level.

His AAU season is going to be the make-or-break in terms of learning to play against high-major comp in HS.

 

[Zonepress]

Disagreeing on 2/3 points. Personal trainers don't do much to improve kid's games. The 65 dribble, spin, drag step BS they teach doesn't translate to games for years. What Abdou needs is playing time, an aggressive drive to each side, decent screen footwork, and a smooth 3-point shot. Everything else is gravy. The international competition was also pretty low-level.

His AAU season is going to be the make-or-break in terms of learning to play against high-major comp in HS.

Not sure if you’ve seen him play but the nitpicking about the negatives of his game I find very puzzling
Imho most highly recruited players would be better off, working with a trainer who works on skill development rather than playing a bunch of AAU games which are the furthest thing from college basketball
For what it’s worth, I think the international model of developing skills, and not playing endless amount of games is far superior to the American modell
Given the increasing percentage of international players in the NBA, I might be correct

 

[husky429]

Not sure if you’ve seen him play but the nitpicking about the negatives of his game I find very puzzling
Imho most highly recruited players would be better off, working with a trainer who works on skill development rather than playing a bunch of AAU games which are the furthest thing from college basketball
For what it’s worth, I think the international model of developing skills, and not playing endless amount of games is far superior to the American modell
Given the increasing percentage of international players in the NBA, I might be correct

AAU is a problem. Kids need way more practices that AAU affords. I'd be an idiot to argue that.

Do you know what's even further from a college basketball game than AAU? Not playing the game at all with a skills trainer.

 

[djct1999]

Not sure if you’ve seen him play but the nitpicking about the negatives of his game I find very puzzling
Imho most highly recruited players would be better off, working with a trainer who works on skill development rather than playing a bunch of AAU games which are the furthest thing from college basketball
For what it’s worth, I think the international model of developing skills, and not playing endless amount of games is far superior to the American modell
Given the increasing percentage of international players in the NBA, I might be correct

I did see him play which is why I stated I think it would benefit him to go the prep route. In the semifinal game, the one I saw, he was being guarded by a kid who was less than six feet tall. In order to be the best, you need to play against the best. The ciac ain’t it and he will be better long term playing vs tougher competition. No one is questioning his ability.

 

[UCTitleTown]

I did see him play which is why I stated I think it would benefit him to go the prep route. In the semifinal game, the one I saw, he was being guarded by a kid who was less than six feet tall. In order to be the best, you need to play against the best. The ciac ain’t it and he will be better long term playing vs tougher competition. No one is questioning his ability.

I'd rather he dominate lesser opposition until he's a Husky and not risk injury (kind of joking....but not really). There's something to be said about a kid potentially winning three state championships. That kind of experience as a winner will help us in the Big East Tournament and NCAA Tournament. I'll take a star on a winning team over a star on a losing team 10 times out of 10.

 

[superjohn]

We already went through this with Clingan. He was just dominating 6'1 centers, out of shape, too slow, won't be ready for UConn and Big East play.

 

[UCTitleTown]

We already went through this with Clingan. He was just dominating 6'1 centers, out of shape, too slow, won't be ready for UConn and Big East play.

With his head above the rim, he can posterize 7 footers as easily as 6 footers.

 

[djct1999]

We already went through this with Clingan. He was just dominating 6'1 centers, out of shape, too slow, won't be ready for UConn and Big East play.

And clingan avg. 13 mins and 6 points his freshman year. Is that the type of impact you expect from Toure? In other posts, you say he is a must get and would have immediate impact. Which is it?

 

[superjohn]

And clingan avg. 13 mins and 6 points his freshman year. Is that the type of impact you expect from Toure? In other posts, you say he is a must get and would have immediate impact. Which is it?

What? Clingan was unbelievably impactful as a freshman. He was a must get and one of our best players ever. I also consider Toure a must get.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

And clingan avg. 13 mins and 6 points his freshman year. Is that the type of impact you expect from Toure? In other posts, you say he is a must get and would have immediate impact. Which is it?

This is a bit odd. Clingan was the MVP of the PK Invitational when they ran through Oregon, Alabama and Iowa State in the first couple weeks of his college career. He was dominant from the get go.

Edit: someone beat me to it.

 

[djct1999]

This is a bit odd. Clingan was the MVP of the PK Invitational when they ran through Oregon, Alabama and Iowa State in the first couple weeks of his college career. He was dominant from the get go.

Edit: someone beat me to it.

I realize it’s a bad comparison. The point I was trying to make,while comparing apples to oranges, is that most people on here would not consider Toure avg 13 mins and 6 points as a freshmen as the impact they are hoping for. The point is the transition from CIAC to UConn is a huge jump for anyone, and he will be better suited playingvs better competition in prep school. It’s really hard to evaluate him at the ciac level because he is barely challenged and superior athletically.

 

[huskyblooz]

I've seen ND-WH many times. I would bet he's closer to 6'4" than 6'6". But, yes, he dominates very good HS players.
Would love to see him a Husky!

 

[UCTitleTown]

I've seen ND-WH many times. I would bet he's closer to 6'4" than 6'6". But, yes, he dominates very good HS players.
Would love to see him a Husky!

You clearly HAVEN'T seen him in person. He's every bit 6'6". May grow another inch.

By the way, when you jump and your head's above the rim, what's your real hight?

 

[superjohn]

This is a bit odd. Clingan was the MVP of the PK Invitational when they ran through Oregon, Alabama and Iowa State in the first couple weeks of his college career. He was dominant from the get go.

Edit: someone beat me to it.

Yep, it's a strange take.

2022-2023

Per 40 stats Sanogo-
25.9 ppg, 11.6 rebs, 1.2 blocks

Per 40 stats Clingan-
21.1 ppg, 17.1 rebs, 5.5 blocks

We had 2 of the 3 best centers in the country that season and Edey was probably the only player statistically better than Clingan in the country. Donovan was already the best defensive player in college basketball as a freshman.

 

[fatlucy]

Yep, it's a strange take.

2022-2023

Per 40 stats Sanogo-
25.9 ppg, 11.6 rebs, 1.2 blocks

Per 40 stats Clingan-
21.1 ppg, 17.1 rebs, 5.5 blocks

We had 2 of the 3 best centers in the country that season and Edey was probably the only player statistically better than Clingan in the country. Donovan was already the best defensive player in college basketball as a freshman.

But..but..but he didn’t go to a fancy prep school with the best competition. He’ll never amount to anything.

 

[husky429]

And clingan avg. 13 mins and 6 points his freshman year. Is that the type of impact you expect from Toure? In other posts, you say he is a must get and would have immediate impact. Which is it?

We should pray to the basketball gods that Toure is good enough to have a freshman year as incredible as Clingan's.

His per minute impact was the best in the country. Literally.

 

[Zonepress]

I've seen ND-WH many times. I would bet he's closer to 6'4" than 6'6". But, yes, he dominates very good HS players.
Would love to see him a Husky!

Agree maybe 6:5
If he comes to UConn he will be listed at 6-7 lol

 

[HooperScooper]

I've seen ND-WH many times. I would bet he's closer to 6'4" than 6'6". But, yes, he dominates very good HS players.
Would love to see him a Husky!

In sneakers or barefoot?

 

[husky429]

In sneakers or barefoot?

Colleges list in shoes.

 

[djct1999]

We should pray to the basketball gods that Toure is good enough to have a freshman year as incredible as Clingan's.

His per minute impact was the best in the country. Literally.

I am going down a road here that I had no intention going down. Toure would be brought in here under very different circumstances. Anyway, enough of that. I was using 6pts and 13 minutes in a vacuum. My bad. That said, watching him vs inferior competition makes it very difficult to evaluate. I heard Three kids in all of Ciac hoops will earn a d1 scholarship or have offers. Watching him play in the semifinals, it was almost impossible to project his impact at the high major level. This isn’t a criticism of him, but more the level he was playing at. he was the most gifted kid on the floor but nothing he did in that game said immediate impact. It would absolutely better suit him and better prepare him if he moves schools next year.

 

[HooperScooper]

Colleges list in shoes.

Correct. Which is why I asked. If he's 6-4 barefoot then he's probably about 6-5.5 in sneakers and would be listed at 6-6 in college. Like Karaban is 6-6.5 in bare feet but is listed at 6-8 because sneakers add about 1.5 inches.

 

[husky429]

Correct. Which is why I asked. If he's 6-4 barefoot then he's probably about 6-5.5 in sneakers and would be listed at 6-6 in college. Like Karaban is 6-6.5 in bare feet but is listed at 6-8 because sneakers add about 1.5 inches.

He's definitely grown since last summer, so he'll be listed 6'6 here. Maybe even 6'7.

 

[superjohn]

Correct. Which is why I asked. If he's 6-4 barefoot then he's probably about 6-5.5 in sneakers and would be listed at 6-6 in college. Like Karaban is 6-6.5 in bare feet but is listed at 6-8 because sneakers add about 1.5 inches.

Toure measured 6'4.5 barefoot last summer.