2026 Recruiting: Abdou Toure update from aaron torres

[HooperScooper]

“These past 2 years…..I didn’t see myself playing there” sure lines up with my timeline and what I was told last year.

That is a strange quote but we can't tell exactly what he meant.

Does anyone need the alternate access? Some interesting stuff in that article. What I got out of it is Hurley was truthful with Toure and Calipari told him what he wanted to hear. Which I guess is part of recruiting. Although with the portal now it's also kind of dangerous.

 

[Kitaman]

That is a strange quote but we can't tell exactly what he meant.

Does anyone need the alternate access? Some interesting stuff in that article. What I got out of it is Hurley was truthful with Toure and Calipari told him what he wanted to hear. Which I guess is part of recruiting. Although with the portal now it's also kind of dangerous.

I choose to ignore it. Its a young kid speaking having high/mixed emotions. His words are just words parentally speaking, having no real meaning, impact or rhyme. Just saying sounds more like a kid speaking without thinking.

Anyway its good to see a CT kid become a prize National recruit for 'another' HOF coach, will inspire others here.

 

[KingAG]

Like I said several days ago, UConn was Toure’s dream school. The claim he was not interested in staying in CT was never true. Also, the claim he was asking for more money from UConn than Arkansas is silly. The opposite is true. UConn’s coaching staff is pretty honest with their recruits, while Cal is telling all of his that they will be one and done…I hope Toure does really well and I hope UConn reconnects with him if he ever ends up in the transfer portal in the future.

Saying it was his dream school when he was “younger” is like saying I was a Vikings fan at 8 because I liked Randy Moss. It’s irrelevant to how he feels about the program in the more recent past. Again, not sure who you spoke to, but the person who said he didn’t want to stay in state is VERY reliable. Also never claimed he wasn’t interested, just that it’d take a handsome sum of money because going out of state was a desire of his. Not a deal breaker, but a factor.

In full transparency I don’t think anyone thought he’d get the number he got.


We all hope Abdou does well. Especially in this part of the state. He’s a good kid.

 

[auror]

I think Cal and Hurley can both be truthful while saying different things.

It can be true that he wouldn't be a starter at UConn while simultaneously also having the ability to become a one and done at Arkansas.

He has the raw athleticism that jumps literally out of the gym, but that might not translate to actual college basketball wins in his freshman season. But the NBA doesn't draft on how well you contributed to winning in college, and Cal just throws his most talented guys out there and says figure it out (and then go get drafted so I can recruit the next stud on your reputation).

 

[KingAG]

I think Cal and Hurley can both be truthful while saying different things.

It can be true that he wouldn't be a starter at UConn while simultaneously also having the ability to become a one and done at Arkansas.

He has the raw athleticism that jumps literally out of the gym, but that might not translate to actual college basketball wins in his freshman season. But the NBA doesn't draft on how well you contributed to winning in college, and Cal just throws his most talented guys out there and says figure it out (and then go get drafted so I can recruit the next stud on your reputation).

Cal is a good fit for him in my opinion .

 

[bendm]

It can be true that he wouldn't be a starter at UConn while simultaneously also having the ability to become a one and done at Arkansas.

This year yes but next year? A starter to replace Mullins is our biggest need as of right now. If Toure is good enough to be a OAD then he coulda been that guy. Not sure he is that guy or if he’s better than Landrew tho.

 

[BGesus4]

To the extent these are one year commitments at this point, Cal is going to pay him the most and play him the most and this prob also increase his offseason value after his freshman year the most. He can always go to a program that’s actually interested in winning after he’s definitely ready to contribute to a team like that and command a higher nil than having played sparingly somewhere

 

[kansashusky]

over under the minutes logged at Arkansas?

I’d put the over at around 100

 

[That Guy]

“These past 2 years…..I didn’t see myself playing there” sure lines up with my timeline and what I was told last year.

Then why the hell were we even in his top 3? 😂

 

[auror]

This year yes but next year? A starter to replace Mullins is our biggest need as of right now. If Toure is good enough to be a OAD then he coulda been that guy. Not sure he is that guy or if he’s better than Landrew tho.

That's my point. He's both not good enough to be that guy, likely worse than our other options, and still a potential OAD. It is possible, though probably not the most likely option, but still reasonable enough that Calipari can tell him that while actually believing it.

Drake Powell was a OAD. 13% usage rate. Similar level of athlete without a productive game for college. Will Riley didn't help his team win anything. He had a decent season. He was worse than Liam. Bub Carrington's team didn't make the tournament, 109 ORTG. Cody Williams is another good recent example. He would've been our 8th best player last year on our #8 seed team. KyShawn George. Lots of examples of OAD's who aren't actually good enough to start as a freshman on a team with championship aspirations.

 

[TheChamps990411]

“These past 2 years…..I didn’t see myself playing there” sure lines up with my timeline and what I was told last year.

Kids say the darndest things. Im sure his decision had nothing to do with the amount of money he was promised by the coach Car salesman. Next.

 

[aceboon]

My guess is we'll hear Hurley make a subliminal reference to these Toure quotes at some point in the future

 

[RuffRuff]

That's my point. He's both not good enough to be that guy, likely worse than our other options, and still a potential OAD. It is possible, though probably not the most likely option, but still reasonable enough that Calipari can tell him that while actually believing it.

Drake Powell was a OAD. 13% usage rate. Similar level of athlete without a productive game for college. Will Riley didn't help his team win anything. He had a decent season. He was worse than Liam. Bub Carrington's team didn't make the tournament, 109 ORTG. Cody Williams is another good recent example. He would've been our 8th best player last year on our #8 seed team. KyShawn George. Lots of examples of OAD's who aren't actually good enough to start as a freshman on a team with championship aspirations.

Absolutely 100% nailed it. What is year 1 ROI. I say low.

 

[david]

This year yes but next year? A starter to replace Mullins is our biggest need as of right now. If Toure is good enough to be a OAD then he coulda been that guy. Not sure he is that guy or if he’s better than Landrew tho.

He's worse than Landrew right now. You seem down on Landrew, not sure why, but he's going to be very good.

 

[mauconnfan]

The last 2 years huh? lol how many championships has Cal won in the last 2 years just curious?

Next, I didn’t see that quote until now so while I hope he does well, I don’t care either way.

 

[ScientificR]

It's so hard to say - everyone's personal situation is different. I don't think I'd judge a kid at this stage. Now if he goes and plays with Cal and burns rubber, doesn't amount to much, then can kind of say I told you so. Cal does that at times - had three kids ranked well ahead of Steph in that 23 class that have flamed out for the most part (meanwhile Dillingham & Shepard went lottery). There's a risk reward with Cal - he'll give you PT and allow you to shine, but he's not going to really polish you up. You better have the natural goods to do it. He will teach you how to manage your money though.

There is something a intoxicating about Cal/Ark. You'll get to play in the SEC in that big college environment for a coach that has reels of NBA alum. Having visited it recently, Fayetville is also a fun little college town. I do wonder why he let Fland go so easy.

I am probably the only Boneyard member who is Arkansas alumni (born/raised in Arkansas, U of Ark. grad, and lived in CT (Stamford) for 25 years). Fayetteville consistently rates as a top place to live in the U.S. The topography is like Litchfield County. Calipari is an attraction to potential recruits. He has a very different personality than Hurley (neither good nor bad). Arkansas basketball is very well funded in terms of NIL. John Tyson of Tyson Foods (chicken) is a big basketball booster and buddy of Calipari (even when he was at UK). Arkansas may have outbid UCONN for this particular player. Arkansas basketball has a lot of fan support.

 

[Samoo]

And the Torre thread goes…….boom. It was nice while it lasted but it never was Diamond Stone.

I didn't know Joe had any eligibility left, or that he was even still with us...

 

[caw]

The last 2 years huh? lol how many championships has Cal won in the last 2 years just curious?

Next, I didn’t see that quote until now so while I hope he does well, I don’t care either way.

I know if I am a kid I def go with the coach who was basically ran out of town at UK about a year ago.

Seriously though it sounds like he could be referring to the style of play at UConn isn't a good fit (shooters needed and not much one-on-one), and he's not completely wrong. He's a very good player but his style of play doesn't exactly mesh with the offense UConn has used the past three years.

 

[UConnKev]

 

[VanDunk]

“These past 2 years…..I didn’t see myself playing there” sure lines up with my timeline and what I was told last year.

Doesn’t sound like something a kid would want to write as he excitedly commits to a school. Sounds like something a bitter old coach with petty grievances and jealousy might write though.

 

[UCann]

DC weighing in lol…shows this was a total clown show. Seems to me like one or a combination of two things:

1. He dislikes UConn and always has. Maybe because people expect him to be a fan since he’s local (kids like to rebel), or remember UConn was not good when he was growing up. Maybe he liked other programs better. So, he uses this chance to put us down.

2. The actual recruitment - he maybe did not like the staff’s honesty, the level of work required in practice, and the money relative to what Cal would give.

Pretty simple, either way, not a critical piece and time to move on.

 

[QuickDraw]

Now this is funny

 

[Dove]

Donovan just Bristol Stomped Abdou!!

 

[Stinger92860]

Can always transfer. The doors of Gampel are open in 2026 for him when things tank in Arkansas. One and done is not just the pros with Cal any more. See Boogie Fland.

Not after his comments from yesterday, buh-bye

 

[NJHusky]

Don’t think I saw this article from Mike Anthony posted…gets into some comments from dad…UConn only offered 1/2 of what Cal paid

Link

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