Razorback Signees JJ Andrews and Abdou Toure Named to Prestigious Midseason Watch Lists
The future of Arkansas basketball is looking bright - and it’s not just hype. Razorback signees JJ Andrews and Abdou Toure have been named to the 2026 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Boys’ High School Player of the Year Midseason Team, as well as the MaxPreps National Player of the Year watch list. That puts them among the top 25 high school players in the country right now - and both are showing why they belong in that elite group.
Let’s start with Andrews, the 6-foot-6 wing out of Little Rock Christian. He’s not just the top-ranked player in Arkansas - he’s a consensus top-15 national prospect, sitting at No. 11 according to both ESPN and 247Sports.
Even with a few missed games due to injury, Andrews is putting up video game numbers: 34.0 points, 16.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. That’s not a typo - 34 and 17 a night.
His dominance on both ends of the floor has made him a matchup nightmare, and his versatility is exactly what modern college programs crave.
Andrews came into this season with plenty of accolades, including being named a preseason third-team MaxPreps All-American. He’s already got a Gatorade Arkansas Player of the Year award under his belt, along with being named the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Preps Boys Player of the Year last season. In short: he’s been that guy for a while now, and he’s only raising the bar.
Then there’s Abdou Toure, a 6-foot-8 forward from Notre Dame High School in West Haven, Connecticut, who’s making a name for himself on the national stage in a big way. Toure is ranked between No. 30 and No. 36 by the major recruiting services, and he’s been surging lately - especially after turning heads at the Hoophall Classic.
His numbers are eye-popping: 28.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.8 steals per game, while shooting a scorching 79.5% from the field and a lights-out 51.6% from beyond the arc. Yes, you read that right - nearly 80% shooting overall and better than 50% from deep.
That’s efficiency on another level.
Toure brings a unique blend of size, skill, and shooting touch that makes him a tough cover for anyone. He’s already a two-time Connecticut MaxPreps Player of the Year and was the 2025 Gatorade Connecticut Boys Basketball Player of the Year - so the accolades aren’t new, but his game keeps evolving.
For Arkansas fans, this duo represents more than just future depth. They’re potential cornerstone pieces - high-impact players who can contribute from day one. With both players already earning national recognition and stacking up awards, the Razorbacks are getting two of the most productive and polished high school players in the country.
The buzz around Fayetteville isn’t just about what’s happening now - it’s about what’s coming next. And with Andrews and Toure on the way, the future looks like it’s arriving right on schedule.