Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding
performers in high school basketball. The tradition continues to close
out the 2025-26 season by naming the top player in each state.
Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in
addition to local and state accolades.
Abdou Toure of
Notre Dame (West Haven) is the 2025-26 MaxPreps Connecticut High School Basketball Player of the Year. The 6-foot-5 senior wing led the Green Knights to a 22-4 record and a trip to the Division I state semifinals.
For the season, Toure averaged 24.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game while shooting over 70 percent from the field.
Abdou Toure pumped in 41 points on 16 of 20 from the field and 7 of 8 from the free throw line in the City of Palms Classic Sunshine Series title game. (FILE PHOTO: Lonnie Webb)
At his best on the biggest stage, Toure averaged 39.0
points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.0 steals and 2.5 blocked shots per
game at the City of Palms Classic to lift Notre Dame to the four-team
Sunshine Series championship.
Toure, who scored a school-record 1,981 career points, joins Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan as a three-time winner of MaxPreps Connecticut Player of the Year honors.
Regarded as the No. 21 prospect in the Class of 2026 according to Rivals, Toure signed with Arkansas over offers from Alabama, Connecticut, Florida State, Louisville, Maryland, Oregon, Stanford, Syracuse, Texas A&M, UCF and Utah among others.
Each
state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in
the MaxPreps All-America Team, which is scheduled to be released in
April. Past selections include 2026 NBA All-Stars Karl Anthony-Towns
(2014), Scottie Barnes (2020), Devin Booker (2014), Jaylen Brown (2015),
Jalen Brunson (2014, 2015), Cade Cunningham (2019, 2020), Kevin Durant
(2006), Jalen Duren (2021), Anthony Edwards (2019), De'Aaron Fox (2016),
Chet Holmgren (2020, 2021), Brandon Ingram (2015), Jalen Johnson
(2019), Tyrese Maxey (2019) and Norman Powell (2011).
Past MaxPreps Connecticut Players of the Year
2019-20 – Donovan Clingan, Bristol Central (Bristol)
2020-21 – Donovan Clingan, Bristol Central
2021-22 – Donovan Clingan, Bristol Central
2022-23 – James Jones, East Catholic (Manchester)
2023-24 – Abdou Toure, Notre Dame (West Haven)
2024-25 – Abdou Toure, Notre Dame
