CIAC Glory Days
The CIAC Glory Days podcast immerses listeners into the world of high school athletics. Explore the purpose and impact of interscholastic athletics on student-athletes as administrators, coaches, players, officials, parents, and State Athletic Association staff take listeners on a journey from tryouts to championships.
CIAC Glory Days
One-on-One with Abdou Toure: CIAC Basketball Standout 🏀🏆
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On this episode of the CIAC Glory Days Podcast, host Jada Mirabelle is joined by Abdou Toure — senior at Notre Dame-West Haven, two-time CIAC State Champion, and one of the nation’s top basketball talents. Known not only for his elite play but also for his sportsmanship, character, and work ethic, Abdou has become a role model and a fan favorite across Connecticut. From packed gyms and sold-out games to supporters lining up for photos and autographs, his impact on and off the court continues to grow as he has already drawn interest from the country’s top Division I programs.
Introduction to Abdu Torre
Speaker 1Welcome to CIAC's Glory Days podcast . I'm your host , jada Marabou , and today I'm joined by Abdu Torre , a CIAC basketball standout , two-time state champion with Notre Dame West Haven and one of the best high school basketball players in the country . Abdu , thank you for joining me today .
Speaker 2Thank you for having me on no-transcript .
Speaker 1Go the prep school route .
Speaker 2I'll say just the support base and the community we have at Notre Dame . I just love it . I feel like a family here , so I wouldn't want to leave my family .
Speaker 1Oh , that's a great answer . And every single game you have such a following at , all of these , I mean , the gym is packed , your family's here , you've got everyone in the student section , so it's definitely a great environment to play .
Speaker 2Yeah , it's a really good environment .
Speaker 1So what is the appeal of CIC basketball to you , besides that community feeling ?
Speaker 2I would say I like the competitiveness . You know every game we're going to get everybody's best , being the number one team . So I just like the competitiveness and how everybody comes at us .
Speaker 1Yes , especially these last few years , as you've been on the team . Yeah , I mean everyone's coming at their top level .
Speaker 2Every game is packed . Everybody's coming at us , yeah .
Speaker 1Yeah , and you can't beat that competition at other places
College Recruitment Process
Speaker 1. So while you've been playing in CIAC these past four years , you've received countless Division I offers no-transcript . Yeah , and that's a lot of stuff behind the scenes as well .
Speaker 2Yeah .
Speaker 1It's not just what you do on the court , it's what you do off the court .
Speaker 2Yeah , all the time in the gym , Just at this gym right here . All the time I spend in this gym working out with Drew , the late nights and all of that .
Speaker 1Yeah , you have to put in those extra hours which you definitely know about .
Speaker 2Yep .
Speaker 1So you've narrowed your top college choices down to Maryland , provville and Florida State . What was your deciding factor in narrowing those down to just those seven ?
Speaker 2I would say I feel like those seven really loved me the most and really contacted me the most and showed that they really had a lot of interest in me . So I would say those are the seven that just felt right .
Speaker 1Did they help make that personal connection with you ? Yeah , that goes a long way , so you don't have to tell me , but did you decide on how you're going to make the announcement ? Do you have like a special plan in mind ?
Speaker 2oh , like it's . I've been thinking about that a lot , but I don't really know how I'm gonna do it yet . But I've been thinking about . I've been thinking about a lot of ways , like um news eight said they wanted to live stream it and this other edit guy said he wants live streaming . So maybe I'll do both combined .
Speaker 1I think you you should add CIAC in there for live streaming . Maybe we could .
Speaker 2Just we could do a million live streams , tiktok , live stream Instagram . But yeah , I don't really know yet , but I'll make that decision soon .
Speaker 1That's a big decision . You have so many people who are going to be waiting for that answer .
Speaker 2Yeah .
Speaker 1So because some people do like the table with the hats .
Speaker 2Yeah .
Speaker 1That would be pretty cool , because you've got a few hats to choose from , All right . Well , I can't wait to hear where you end up going and how you do it . You'll have to let us know so when you're out there on the court . Abdu , I have to say you have some of the best sportsmanship
Maintaining Composure Under Pressure
Speaker 1.
Speaker 2I mean , I've been watching you on the court since you were a freshman , no matter what's going on around you like how badly people are trying to guard you , or just the crowds and the pressure of the moment being so calm and keep those composure . In those moments I would say I really just don't really worry about what's going on , just keep playing my game . Don't let anything like affect me to make me play worse and just keep playing my game . Listen to what coaches say . Coach always tells me keep my composure , don't let people see that you're frustrated . So I would just say keep , keep my composure and just play the game .
Speaker 1And that's so important to have at the next levels at college and the NBA . That's definitely a key factor and , like you've said , just put the ball in the hoop right Put the ball in the hoop .
Speaker 1That's all you got to focus on . So you've had so many eyes on you since you were a freshman . Now , as a senior , you have a following . No matter where you go , there's always a crowd of people through the game the people , and that says a lot about your character . So how do you manage to stay grounded and focused through it all ? Because that's a lot of attention to have at your age .
Speaker 2I would
Leadership and Goals for Senior Year
Speaker 2say just keep putting the ball in the hoop . That's what really made all of this come true . You know , I never would expect kids asking me for pictures and parents asking me for pictures , but I always spend time to take pictures with kids , parents , as many people as I can , because I used to be the one asking people for pictures . So , yeah , it's really crazy that people really want to take pictures with me still , but yeah , it's a great way to think about it , though the roles have kind of reversed . Yeah .
Speaker 1Now people are looking up to you and you're a great role model for it . You've worked very , very hard for the talent you've had , so does it mean a lot to you that all these young players in Connecticut are looking up to you ?
Speaker 2Yeah , it means a lot that people look up to me and my journey , just taking my journey , and just adapt to that . It's just really crazy . I don't even know how to explain it , but it's really crazy .
Speaker 1Yeah , I remember at the last state championship there was just lines of people around the whole court just waiting for you and you went through the whole line and met everyone .
Speaker 2I was getting screamed at too for taking pictures , but I can never say no to any pictures . I just feel wrong if I say no to pictures .
Speaker 1Yeah , and that says a lot about your character , so that's great . So what are some of the takeaways that you've learned from high school basketball ? How has being an athlete shaped who you are off the court ?
Speaker 2I would say the biggest takeaway is just be yourself . Never change , no matter what I'll never change , no matter how high I get or how low I get , I'll just be the same and just be humble and just be caring and loving .
Speaker 1Yeah , because that's why people like you for Abdu . So don't ever change that . Yeah , that's a great answer . So you're officially in your senior year now hoping to 3P as the CIAC Division One Boys State Champions . What are your goals for the season as one of the captains ?
Speaker 2I'll say my goal is to be undefeated . Win another state championship , get every player of the year again and get into the McDonald's All-American game .
Speaker 1All right . Well , you've done some of those things before , so you can do it again . Yeah , those are high goals , but you could definitely reach them . So how would your teammates describe your leadership style as a captain ? What do you find is most important ?
Speaker 2I would just say I push my teammates as much as I can make them to be the best player that they could be , and just push them no matter what . Any game , it doesn't matter if it's like a not-so-good team or a really good team . I'm just going to push them no matter what .
Speaker 1Yeah , you always have to go in level-headed and ready to win . So what do you think the season is going to look like this year ? Do you have any changes on the team ?
Speaker 2We got a few players that were injured last year , like Kyle and Sekou , that didn't play as much last year because they were injured , so we're going to see how they do . I mean , everybody's spot is for grabs , so everybody really has to work for their spot and make sure they're in the gym , working and ready to play this year , because this year we have a lot of incoming freshmen . That's nice , it's really good too .
Speaker 1So it's going to be really tough this year and hopefully they can learn throughout the year for when you guys graduate to help the program . Yeah ,
Personal Development and Influences
Speaker 1so how would you describe your game and playing style ? What do you see as the biggest strengths on the court ?
Speaker 2I would say my biggest strength is probably like attacking the rim , and I really say like making my teammates better .
Speaker 1Yeah , yeah , that's very , very important , because not every athlete has the ability to encourage and motivate their teammates that you do , so what drives you to compete at such a high level ?
Speaker 2I would just say I just love to win , I love to succeed . I don't like not succeeding , so I would just say I love to win .
Speaker 1Can't beat that , can't beat that .
Speaker 2I don't like losing .
Speaker 1So what do you believe has been the biggest factor in your development throughout these past few years ?
Speaker 2I would probably say just staying in the gym , like all the early mornings , late nights . I would say that's been the biggest factor . I'm really working on the things that I'm not so good at , so I would probably say that's the biggest factor just to continue to get better and better yeah so you say , because I always see on social media , I mean you're working out before school as well sometimes , right ?
Speaker 1yeah and then after school as well . I mean at night you're working out . Yeah , I mean it's all day . You have to let it kind of consume you to be as good as you are . Yeah yeah so who do you think's had the most influence on your game throughout all these years ? Is there one person that comes to mind ?
Speaker 2I'll probably say my dad . My dad is just always talking Every chance he gets he's going to talk to me about what I could do better or what I need to improve on . Just last night I got off my flight tired and my dad is just talking the whole ride about what I could do better and how I need to improve on my game . So I'll probably say my dad ?
Speaker 1yeah , we were just talking about that off camera . I mean , your dad is . He's at every single game . He doesn't miss anything he's your biggest supporter .
Speaker 2Yeah , and that goes a long way . My dad and my mom yeah , my mom doesn't . My mom knows a lot about basketball , but she doesn't really know , but she's always there supporting yeah , you have a great support system which makes a big difference in all this .
Speaker 1So so that's an awesome answer . So now I'm sure you know the drill , but we always end with rapid questions or a surprise . So whatever comes to your mind first , that's what you're gonna answer , with All right , favorite CIAC basketball memory .
Speaker 2Landis game tying shot .
Speaker 1That was
Rapid-Fire Questions with Abdu
Speaker 1one for the books .
Speaker 2That was incredible . I'll always remember that shot .
Speaker 1Ture Krieger gets a shot off . It's good Overtime Pre-game ritual .
Speaker 2I'll probably say just closing my eyes and praying .
Speaker 1I love that Something random that you keep in your game day bag .
Speaker 2I don't keep nothing random .
Speaker 1Nothing really .
Speaker 2Probably my shoes . Yeah , I don't keep nothing .
Speaker 1That's not too random . You kind of need those . Yeah Right , speaking of shoes , what is your favorite sneaker to play in ?
Speaker 2I'll probably say Kobe's Okay , yeah .
Speaker 1Story behind wearing number 23? .
Speaker 2Just my favorite player , the greatest of all time , lebron James .
Speaker 1Greatest player of all time .
Speaker 2Yeah .
Speaker 1What do you like to do most outside of basketball ?
Speaker 2I'll probably say hang out with my girlfriend or play the game .
Speaker 1She's gonna like that answer . All right , favorite movie .
Speaker 2Favorite movie , I'll probably Sinners .
Speaker 1Sinners yeah .
Speaker 2Do you know what Sinners ?
Speaker 1is no I don't .
Speaker 2It's the one with Michael B Jordan and like the vampires and stuff like that . No , it's a really good movie Like you should watch that . It's a really good movie , really . Yeah , okay , well , I've got a good review I just watched the Conjuring too . That was really scary .
Speaker 1That's scary . I don't know if I want to look that one up . I'll look up the Michael B Jordan one , but not the Conjuring . Alright , what's something that people would be surprised to know about you ?
Speaker 2I'm really good at football and soccer and baseball .
Speaker 1Really Wow . You're just a . You could be a four-sport athlete right there , yeah .
Speaker 2I'm really good at all the other sports , but I just can't play football because my coach doesn't want me to play football or intramural football .
Speaker 1No , you can't risk an injury .
Speaker 2No .
Speaker 1Smart , just stick to basketball .
Speaker 2I'm going to have a meeting with him this year because I really want to play intramural football this year . It's my last year of high school . I've been wanting to play since I was a freshman .
Speaker 1Maybe you could just coach from the sidelines .
Speaker 2No , I can't . I need to play you . I think I have a feeling what coach will say about that , but we'll see Favorite move on the court .
Speaker 1I'll probably say a twin cross ? Yeah , one word to describe your game .
Speaker 2Let me think this is a hard one .
Speaker 1This is a hard one .
Speaker 2Energetic .
Speaker 1Energetic . Okay , yeah , that's a very good word . Describe it Best piece of advice you've ever received .
Speaker 2Best piece of I'll probably say stay level-headed . Yeah , don't always forget where you came from . Don't forget where you came from .
Speaker 1Yes , very true , yeah , and that goes all things your life , not just for your basketball , everything else as well . So most exciting CIC game you've ever played .
Speaker 2The most exciting game .
Speaker 1I'll probably say You've had a few that come to mind in my head .
Speaker 2The last year when we played cross , it was really good . Oh , yeah , yeah .
Speaker 1Was that at home ? Yeah , it was at home . Oh , so you definitely connected .
Speaker 2I had like seven , threes or five . I Was that at home . Yeah , it was home . I had like seven , threes or five . I had a lot of threes . It was energetic in here . It was a lot of people . Every three it was boom , it was nice .
Speaker 1And then your sophomore year you played cross Was the year you broke the all-time scoring record for the school .
Speaker 2Yeah .
Speaker 1What was it ? 49 points .
Speaker 2Yeah , I had 49 .
Speaker 1Yeah , wow . So that just must bring high level from you when you play them .
Speaker 2So best moment of your basketball career so far , I'd probably say winning the first state championship . Just like I couldn't , it didn't even feel real , like that day did not feel real at all Very special , I mean that was the first one for the school . Yeah first one for the school . It just it was . It couldn't , it didn't feel real .
Speaker 1Yeah , that was an awesome game as well , yeah , so we're going to wrap up with what is your ultimate basketball goal .
Final Thoughts and NBA Dreams
Speaker 2I would say my ultimate basketball goal is to make it to the NBA and , like , stay in the NBA for multiple years .
Speaker 1Yeah .
Speaker 2So like be a role player in the NBA ?
Speaker 1Yeah you can do it . I have faith in you . You'll definitely do it All right . So thank you , abdu Tori , for joining me on the CIC Glorities podcast . It's truly been awesome being able to know you these four years and to see you develop and grow on that core . It's been awesome to watch . So I wish you the best of luck this upcoming season . I can't wait to hear where you decide to go .
Speaker 2Thank you .