2026 Recruiting: Abdou Toure update from aaron torres

[FreeKlaiber]

bashing a local kid as not being the right kind of character or only wanting the bag or 'dad is too much' is how the board is toxic. We seemed to not be going all in on him in recent days when we dont call back or look to schedule on weekend (if dad is to be believed). Maybe playing style, response to harder coach and regimented offense, maybe bag ask, we really dont know, but to besmirch a local kid is trash. I took his quote as awkward but meaning over last two years most freshman have to wait a yr (or 2) to contribute at uconn. I dont see anything wrong in his decision, Dan Hurley put more emphasis into Junior County et al, but our fanbase believes no matter what, if a kid doesnt come here he's making a major mistake and his motivations are questionable. weak take IMO

 

[Husky Alien]

Hoo boy those quotes from the dad are something else… It wasn’t about the money… But it was about the money… It was about the Bentleys… But it wasn’t about the Bentleys…we should have gotten a weekend official visit, blah blah blah.

This was a “close call”. Sorta. Pretty clear the staff saw important potential concerns with the kid and his family/handlers. On and off the court. In retrospect seems very much like a courtesy recruitment.

Yes, I believe Hurley saw the tea leaves on this one. Dad seems like he would have been a handful if things didn't go his sons way at UConn. Arkansas? Where were the other Bluebloods on his recruitment? $$$

 

[Husky Alien]

bashing a local kid as not being the right kind of character or only wanting the bag or 'dad is too much' is how the board is toxic. We seemed to not be going all in on him in recent days when we dont call back or look to schedule on weekend (if dad is to be believed). Maybe playing style, response to harder coach and regimented offense, maybe bag ask, we really dont know, but to besmirch a local kid is trash. I took his quote as awkward but meaning over last two years most freshman have to wait a yr (or 2) to contribute at uconn. I dont see anything wrong in his decision, Dan Hurley put more emphasis into Junior County et al, but our fanbase believes no matter what, if a kid doesnt come here he's making a major mistake and his motivations are questionable. weak take IMO

I don't think many here are bashing the young man, yes, his quote was awkward and as someone on this thread mentioned he could of meant he was not a good fit. But for an adult, (father to mention Bentleys), well that's another story. If Bentleys are impressive to you than $ was a big factor.

 

[Dove]

Arkansas already had a commitment from 14th ranked JJ Andrews a 6’6 SF. Guessing Cal sold Toure on being their starting SG?

No. it was the Bentleys, and not one, but TWO Caliparis.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

I don't think many here are bashing the young man, yes, his quote was awkward and as someone on this thread mentioned he could of meant he was not a good fit. But for an adult, (father to mention Bentleys), well that's another story. If Bentleys are impressive to you than $ was a big factor.

I took it as he was making the point "one team is sending Bentley's and really making him feeling wanted but the other team, that my family wanted, didnt't call us back and couldnt schedule on a weekend." Dad's quote "And then, call, calling, a week or plus, reaching out to them. Nothing." Which is fine, Dan Hurley prioritized elsewhere. Somehow Toure is getting labelled as not the right type of character kid because he's not going here, by alot on the board, which I think is unfair and telling.

 

[donyell34]

Leave the kid and the father alone. No problems, time to move on. I'm excited about Landrew.

 

[Husky Alien]

I took it as he was making the point "one team is sending Bentley's and really making him feeling wanted but the other team, that my family wanted, didnt't call us back and couldnt schedule on a weekend." Dad's quote "And then, call, calling, a week or plus, reaching out to them. Nothing." Which is fine, Dan Hurley prioritized elsewhere. Somehow Toure is getting labelled as not the right type of character kid because he's not going here, by alot on the board, which I think is unfair and telling.

It's a bit odd for the coaching staff to not get back in touch on such a highly rated ball player as Toure. Something went down behind the scenes that we will never know.

 

[FreeKlaiber]

It's a bit odd for the coaching staff to not get back in touch on such a highly rated ball player as Toure. Something went down behind the scenes that we will never know.

OR... he's an athletic slasher who wouldve perhaps thrived under JC, but doesnt fit the half court high IQ game we are playing with Dan Hurley. Look at film on Toure and County. While Toure shows out with highlights, and I think has a greater upside, its County's high IQ off the ball complimentary play, hit the open three and D that Dan Hurley sees for that spot.

 

[Mazhude]

Good local kid. I wish him well.

 

[uconnever]

I wouldn't know, but believe that staff and recruits are in constant texting contact. Maybe we had to recruit the parents, who expect phone calls, and it factored into the loss of interest.

Sounds like this may be true, but at least pick up or return the calls and be honest. This is a turn off if I'm being honest, on BOTH sides.

 

[Scot-e]

I wish him well- but do not for a minute believe we did not return his phone calls. This staff is nothing if not strait up honest.

 

[ctchamps]

bashing a local kid as not being the right kind of character or only wanting the bag or 'dad is too much' is how the board is toxic. We seemed to not be going all in on him in recent days when we dont call back or look to schedule on weekend (if dad is to be believed). Maybe playing style, response to harder coach and regimented offense, maybe bag ask, we really dont know, but to besmirch a local kid is trash. I took his quote as awkward but meaning over last two years most freshman have to wait a yr (or 2) to contribute at uconn. I dont see anything wrong in his decision, Dan Hurley put more emphasis into Junior County et al, but our fanbase believes no matter what, if a kid doesnt come here he's making a major mistake and his motivations are questionable. weak take IMO

This thread has multiple examples of “it takes one to know one”.

If our perception of Abdou’s and/or his father’s statements were wrong or were expressed poorly why do people feel the need to behave in a manner that they find objectionable?

 

[HooperScooper]

I don't think many here are bashing the young man, yes, his quote was awkward and as someone on this thread mentioned he could have meant he was not a good fit. But for an adult, (father to mention Bentleys), well that's another story. If Bentleys are impressive to you than $ was a big factor.

The article said his father is the sales manager at a car dealership. So maybe he just has an interest in high end cars.

 

[KingAG]

The article said his father is the sales manager at a car dealership. So maybe he just has an interest in high end cars.

And getting picked up in a Bentley is pretty cool no?

The logic here insinuates Hurley should take recruits to Denny’s instead of Capital Grille.

 

[mauconnfan]

He told his son it’s not about the money? But let’s talk about Bentleys, private jets, red carpets, twice as much 🤔 😉

 

[KingAG]

He told his son it’s not about the money? But let’s talk about Bentleys, private jets, red carpets, twice S much 🤔 😉

It’s not about the money. But you can tell who wants you more by the amount of money they’re willing to spend to get you.

 

[HW611]

He told his son it’s not about the money? But let’s talk about Bentleys, private jets, red carpets, twice S much 🤔 😉

Think he’s just laying out how much effort Arkansas put into wowing them and valuing them.

 

[HW611]

OR... he's an athletic slasher who wouldve perhaps thrived under JC, but doesnt fit the half court high IQ game we are playing with Dan Hurley. Look at film on Toure and County. While Toure shows out with highlights, and I think has a greater upside, its County's high IQ off the ball complimentary play, hit the open three and D that Dan Hurley sees for that spot.

We’ve won championships with great athletes like Hawkins, Jackson, Castle, and Clingan. They helped give us a huge physical and athletic advantage over our opponents.

I hope we don’t steer away from this in recruiting. Cloer and Toure were my top 2 wants (outside of Mingo of course) for these reasons.

 

[RuffRuff]

The article said his father is the sales manager at a car dealership. So maybe he just has an interest in high end cars.

And appreciates the art of the sale - ala Cal. Makes more sense now.

 

[RuffRuff]

OR... he's an athletic slasher who wouldve perhaps thrived under JC, but doesnt fit the half court high IQ game we are playing with Dan Hurley. Look at film on Toure and County. While Toure shows out with highlights, and I think has a greater upside, its County's high IQ off the ball complimentary play, hit the open three and D that Dan Hurley sees for that spot.

The question going forward which SJ brought up is whether Hurley is over indexing on IQ and will lack athletes, even in his system.

 

[boog204]

Re: style of play, I really wanted Toure bc he’s that downhill athlete that we just do not have. We were soft, slow, and pretty unathletic last year. Our best athletes, Stew, Ball, and Ross, were beaten off the dribble at will and other than a few select moments, were not able to go to the hoop with any effectiveness. We need to mix in some athletes with our IQ guys. While County is a highly ranked guy, he’s doesn’t appear to be a great athlete.

 

[ctchamps]

OR... he's an athletic slasher who wouldve perhaps thrived under JC, but doesnt fit the half court high IQ game we are playing with Dan Hurley. Look at film on Toure and County. While Toure shows out with highlights, and I think has a greater upside, its County's high IQ off the ball complimentary play, hit the open three and D that Dan Hurley sees for that spot.

This was a major factor if not the major factor in their decision. But based on the comments of Toure and his father this will be dismissed by some people.

 

[Waquoit]

These are two top 10 OAD players. Outside of those instant lottery players, freshmen have a very short leash.

They get the leash the staff thinks they can handle. Who have they held back?

 

[ctchamps]

Re: style of play, I really wanted Toure bc he’s that downhill athlete that we just do not have. We were soft, slow, and pretty unathletic last year. Our best athletes, Stew, Ball, and Ross, were beaten off the dribble at will and other than a few select moments, were not able to go to the hoop with any effectiveness. We need to mix in some athletes with our IQ guys. While County is a highly ranked guy, he’s doesn’t appear to be a great athlete.

And we had that with Tristen and Stephon two years ago. But both players were willing to play within Hurley’s offensive system and resort to their downhill abilities only when necessary. More than likely the coaches felt that Toure was unlikely or unhappy with that situation.

The staff was in a bind. Toure is a very talented in state kid who’s dream school was UConn but was a player that didn’t fit their system and would do better at a program which plays his style.

Mingo, Landrew and Samuels have similar downhill abilities as Toure and apparently more receptive to doing it within Hurley’s system.

 

[BGesus4]

I mean it’s seems (reasonably) that both sides decided UConn didn’t make sense for him next year. These are year by year decisions. If he’s not going to play why pay him at a significant level. If you’re not going to get paid competitively or get significant playing time then why go when you have that opportunity elsewhere.

I don’t really see the case for UConn being the right choice for either for his freshman year. People want to piss themselves over the comment he made but he’s obviously trying to justify why he chose another school without it being about the money (because for whatever reason it’s such a faux pas to say the money matters). He said he thought it was his best development option which is probably right to the extent that getting minutes will help him develop.

Hypothetically, let’s say he’s playing here his sophomore year. Would he be more likely to have an impactful year having played 25 min a game in the SEC for Ark the previous year or having gotten spot minutes for us?

As he said, the fit isn’t there for him to spend his freshman year at UConn.

 

[alphasigko]

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 had a casual friend while I was working in SoCal who is a Hogs fan, and he said that the word was that Boogie was not well liked by his teammates. So much so, that when he went down on the floor during practice, they would not reach out to help him up. Then he got hurt, and noticed that the team played better without him. I think he figured out that he did not fit, and left for even more bucks to Florida.

 

[ucp990411]

Surprising to me that Calipari would spend so much $ and effort to recruit a recruit rated in the mid 30’s. Either he sees something other coaches didn’t or he is losing his touch with the cream of the crop. Or perhaps he wanted to beat the guy who is considered the best coach in the country for a recruit.

 

[UCTitleTown]

The last thing I'll say about AT is that home grown CT players for UConn become stars in CT forever. Go far away and people lose interest. The value of being a CT legend is priceless.

 

[RuffRuff]

I had a casual friend while I was working in SoCal who is a Hogs fan, and he said that the word was that Boogie was not well liked by his teammates. So much so, that when he went down on the floor during practice, they would not reach out to help him up. Then he got hurt, and noticed that the team played better without him. I think he figured out that he did not fit, and left for even more bucks to Florida.

Good intel. Thanks for sharing. Knock UF back a couple notches. Was my concern with him. It was amazing how much better they got immediately once he went down. Once Cal put Johnell Davis in it was a new team.

Goes to show you how one cancer can impact team chemistry and something Hurley does an amazing job of guarding against.

 

[knicksin7]

I took it as he was making the point "one team is sending Bentley's and really making him feeling wanted but the other team, that my family wanted, didnt't call us back and couldnt schedule on a weekend." Dad's quote "And then, call, calling, a week or plus, reaching out to them. Nothing." Which is fine, Dan Hurley prioritized elsewhere. Somehow Toure is getting labelled as not the right type of character kid because he's not going here, by alot on the board, which I think is unfair and telling.

I think it's totally fair to criticize the dad. I don't understand why everything has to be 100% black or white. Toure not coming here is a completely rational, legit decision, and his dad talking about bentleys or cash in the media, can also be legit criticized as not smart. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course.