2026 Recruiting: Abdou Toure update 4/15/24

[husky99]

Watched 3 games... forgot to post this yesterday.

32 minutes (One 2OT game)

20.3 PTS
7.0 REB (1.3 offensive)
2.0 AST (+5.7 potential)

2.7 TO
1.7 STL
2.3 BLK

50% 2FG (8 attempts)
36% 3FG (3.7 attempts)
78% FT (10.7 attempts)

TL;DR: I don’t think he looks like a 5* yet, but he’s got a ton of really impressive pieces in place on both ends to become a high 4*. Could easily end up a 5* if he keeps grinding and improving his shooting and decision-making. Could also end up a Yale-level player if he doesn't keep improving. Soph-->Junior summer is the most important in a recruits development.

Overall: He’s playing against public school teams, so there isn’t as much to glean as normal. He’s totally physically dominant at this level–the free throws are the evidence. But I see a lot to like and keep an eye on this summer before we decide to offer or not. Great size for a 3, fantastic athleticism. Defensive potential is there. Free throw shooting is fantastic. 3-ball is a work in progress (streaky), but a lot to like for potential. On-balance and pretty consistent. Handles are supposedly improving. I’d call them fine, but decision-making with the ball in his hands is not up to par for a 4* player in his class. He’s a willing passer who has some nice reads in his bag and seems to be a consummate teammate, hyping up his teammates all game. Sophomore to junior year of HS is the biggest summer in a player’s development. If he capitalizes, he’s a high major recruit.

The big question for me is going to be is he a Mike McGuirl/Matt Knowling type of CIAC player, or is he a Mustapha Heron to of CIAC player? Realistically, probably somewhere in between, but I’d lean more towards Heron because Torre’s just a more advanced shooter than the other two. We’ll learn a lot about his game this summer with Expressions. IMO a reclass to 2025 may not be in his best interest if he’s truly looking to maximize his effectiveness his freshman year. He looks like a 3* in the 2025 class right now IMO.

Offense: 3-point shooting is the biggest surprise. His shot is on-balance and seems to be pretty accurate. It is a SLOW shot (achingly slow) that got blocked twice in the full game I saw against public school competition. Inconsistent… was 3/7 one game, 0/0 the next, and ¼ after that. That’s not great, but the mechanics are fine, so I expect we’ll see that improve as he continues building his bag. He has a habit he must be trying to fix of combing his hair on his release. Shoots better when he nixes that, even on FTs. Free throw shooting is excellent overall. Handles are fine for a wing recruit, but could use some work to become elite. While he’s a dynamite individual scorer in transition with a deep bag (spin move, euro-step, running back tuck, etc), his decision-making with the ball in his hands is pretty bad compared to his peers. Ran into traffic with no plan a couple times for TOs or near TOs many times. Overall just a lot of live ball TOs that he needs to clean up. Overall a bit TO prone vs pressure. I was pleasantly surprised by some of his passing too; has a drive and dish and a quick pocket pass in his arsenal, though he can only pass with his right hand. Can drive a bit with his left hand but can’t finish with his left at all. Totally a dud in that regard and it is impacting his finishing ability. Does the Jalen Adams thing where he makes a tough righty finish instead of the easy left.

Defense: Hard to get a read on his rebounding right now just because he’s bigger and stronger and more athletic than the competition. The fact that he has way more defensive than offensive boards is usually a good sign of technique and desire at any level, though. So I’m hopeful. I imagine he’ll be good with his strength and size wherever he plays in college. Has a habit of staying too upright in 1v1 defense or going arou dscreens (very common in recruits; Steph was a god awful defender in high school). Knows the reads to make, but doesn’t always make them fast enough in help defense. Overall, high potential on defense with a lot of nice pieces in place, but he’s probably not developing it playing against this competition very much.

You are so good for this board

 

[husky429]

You are so good for this board

My wife accuses me of cheating on her with "my internet boyfriends." So I'm not so sure the yard is good for me, lol.

 

[Huskybass]

Watched 3 games... forgot to post this yesterday.

32 minutes (One 2OT game)

20.3 PTS
7.0 REB (1.3 offensive)
2.0 AST (+5.7 potential)

2.7 TO
1.7 STL
2.3 BLK

50% 2FG (8 attempts)
36% 3FG (3.7 attempts)
78% FT (10.7 attempts)

TL;DR: I don’t think he looks like a 5* yet, but he’s got a ton of really impressive pieces in place on both ends to become a high 4*. Could easily end up a 5* if he keeps grinding and improving his shooting and decision-making. Could also end up a Yale-level player if he doesn't keep improving. Soph-->Junior summer is the most important in a recruits development.

Overall: He’s playing against public school teams, so there isn’t as much to glean as normal. He’s totally physically dominant at this level–the free throws are the evidence. But I see a lot to like and keep an eye on this summer before we decide to offer or not. Great size for a 3, fantastic athleticism. Defensive potential is there. Free throw shooting is fantastic. 3-ball is a work in progress (streaky), but a lot to like for potential. On-balance and pretty consistent. Handles are supposedly improving. I’d call them fine, but decision-making with the ball in his hands is not up to par for a 4* player in his class. He’s a willing passer who has some nice reads in his bag and seems to be a consummate teammate, hyping up his teammates all game. Sophomore to junior year of HS is the biggest summer in a player’s development. If he capitalizes, he’s a high major recruit.

The big question for me is going to be is he a Mike McGuirl/Matt Knowling type of CIAC player, or is he a Mustapha Heron to of CIAC player? Realistically, probably somewhere in between, but I’d lean more towards Heron because Torre’s just a more advanced shooter than the other two. We’ll learn a lot about his game this summer with Expressions. IMO a reclass to 2025 may not be in his best interest if he’s truly looking to maximize his effectiveness his freshman year. He looks like a 3* in the 2025 class right now IMO.

Offense: 3-point shooting is the biggest surprise. His shot is on-balance and seems to be pretty accurate. It is a SLOW shot (achingly slow) that got blocked twice in the full game I saw against public school competition. Inconsistent… was 3/7 one game, 0/0 the next, and ¼ after that. That’s not great, but the mechanics are fine, so I expect we’ll see that improve as he continues building his bag. He has a habit he must be trying to fix of combing his hair on his release. Shoots better when he nixes that, even on FTs. Free throw shooting is excellent overall. Handles are fine for a wing recruit, but could use some work to become elite. While he’s a dynamite individual scorer in transition with a deep bag (spin move, euro-step, running back tuck, etc), his decision-making with the ball in his hands is pretty bad compared to his peers. Ran into traffic with no plan a couple times for TOs or near TOs many times. Overall just a lot of live ball TOs that he needs to clean up. Overall a bit TO prone vs pressure. I was pleasantly surprised by some of his passing too; has a drive and dish and a quick pocket pass in his arsenal, though he can only pass with his right hand. Can drive a bit with his left hand but can’t finish with his left at all. Totally a dud in that regard and it is impacting his finishing ability. Does the Jalen Adams thing where he makes a tough righty finish instead of the easy left.

Defense: Hard to get a read on his rebounding right now just because he’s bigger and stronger and more athletic than the competition. The fact that he has way more defensive than offensive boards is usually a good sign of technique and desire at any level, though. So I’m hopeful. I imagine he’ll be good with his strength and size wherever he plays in college. Has a habit of staying too upright in 1v1 defense or going arou dscreens (very common in recruits; Steph was a god awful defender in high school). Knows the reads to make, but doesn’t always make them fast enough in help defense. Overall, high potential on defense with a lot of nice pieces in place, but he’s probably not developing it playing against this competition very much.

Thanks for the comprehensive evaluation. You certainly didn't sugar coat it.

To me, he feels like a Husky. Seems like he gets it and would be a great piece to win with. His play this summer will be something I look forward to watching and hopefully be impressive enough that he gets and accepts a UConn offer.

 

[husky429]

Thanks for the comprehensive evaluation. You certainly didn't sugar coat it.

To me, he feels like a Husky. Seems like he gets it and would be a great piece to win with. His play this summer will be something I look forward to watching and hopefully be impressive enough that he gets and accepts a UConn offer.

It's never going to be a perfect eval with a sophomore. Just pointing out what he needs to improve to compete at the next level. We'll see if he put in the work when EYBL starts up. There's a lot to like about him.

I do hope he preps somewhere. He'd benefit from a system where he's forced to play with some more defensive IQ.

 

[Huskybass]

It's never going to be a perfect eval with a sophomore. Just pointing out what he needs to improve to compete at the next level. We'll see if he put in the work when EYBL starts up. There's a lot to like about him.

I do hope he preps somewhere. He'd benefit from a system where he's forced to play with some more defensive IQ.

I think we both see plenty to work with and he has plenty of time to develop. I'm hoping it goes well and we ultimately see him in a UConn uniform.

 

[husky429]

Livestream — Nike EYBL

nikeeyb.com

Playing on court 11 for those interested

 

[Beaner]

Livestream — Nike EYBL

nikeeyb.com

Playing on court 11 for those interested

Do we know his number?

 

[husky429]

Do we know his number?

He's 23. Pretty sure he's out for this half because he has 2 fouls. I'm watching a few games though so don't quote me.

 

[husky429]

Playing in 16u. I counted

8 PTS
1 REB
0 AST

2/5 FT
3/5 2FG
0/1 3FG

Probably in 17 minutes or so. He got a tech and sat the last quarter.

 

[husky429]

I had almost forgotten how absolutely awful AAU basketball is. But alas

Anyways... Toure had a much better game today. He's physically dominant over his peers at this level still. Stronger, faster, and more violent. He's not showing much skill on the perimeter the way we'd hope. Got stripped a couple times and some head scratching decisions for a stretch. Most getting his buckets in transition or 1 dribble dunks or fadeaways in the mid-post. Not being treated as a threat from 3. AAU is not the kind of game he's ever going to thrive in though--the off-ball kind of guys never really do. Built for ballhandlers and bigs. He should NOT reclassify to 2025--that would be a horrible idea. He's not performing well enough to make that leap.

16 points (box says 14 but it's wrong)
4 boards
0 assists

3 TO

5/8 from 2
0/1 from 3
4/6 from FT

 

[superjohn]

Haven't heard about any UConn interest but London Jemison from Hartford can really play. Ranked #58 on 247 and #54 on rivals for '25. Hit 7 threes in Expressions first game this weekend. Another nice kid who puts in the work.

I like this kid. He shows more and more handles, shooting, and he's more fluid every time I watch him. He's also the rare player in AAU who plays like a team player. I hope the staff starts showing him a little love.

 

[husky429]

I like this kid. He shows more and more handles, shooting, and he's more fluid every time I watch him. He's also the rare player in AAU who plays like a team player. I hope the staff starts showing him a little love.

I'll update a little more by the end of the weekend. I agree overall. He's getting better, and fast. Showing flashes like you'd expect from a sophomore.

I hope he gets somewhere known for coaching guys up, because he's got all the tools. Just needs to refine and develop IQ

 

[superjohn]

I'll update a little more by the end of the weekend. I agree overall. He's getting better, and fast. Showing flashes like you'd expect from a sophomore.

I hope he gets somewhere known for coaching guys up, because he's got all the tools. Just needs to refine and develop IQ

I'm talking about London Jemison who is on the oldest Expressions team. '25 who played with Tyler Betsey this past season at St. Thomas More, he's going to be better than Betsey IMO.

 

[husky429]

I'm talking about London Jemison who is on the oldest Expressions team. '25 who played with Tyler Betsey this past season at St. Thomas More, he's going to be better than Betsey IMO.

Yup didn't see who you were responding to. He's good

 

[husky429]

Latest game he was quiet for most of it, then pulled away all by himself for the double-digit win. Must have had 9 points, 2 blocks and 4 assists in the 4th quarter. Looked sharp. Couple stats I fixed because the book got it wrong. He was absolutely on fire with a mid-range pull-up today. Very Dwyane Wade-esque. Tons of blocks, athletic, didn't turn it over but passed well. Settling in for the weekend. Great performance.

23 MINS

18 PTS
7 REB
5 AST

4 BLK
2 STL
1 TO

5/6 2FG
1/3 3FG
5/6 FT