French Forward Maye Toure Brings Global Game to Utah
by JD Radford
The ball is inbounded with 8 seconds left in overtime, down by one point and one chance at glory. The ball finds the hands of Maye Toure.
Tick-tock, tick tock.
The clock winds down to six seconds. Toure spins to her right and heaves up a one-handed push shot with five seconds left. The stadium is silent as the ball rolls around the rim.
Four seconds.
The ball falls through the net, and the crowd erupts for a Utah victory.
The Utah women’s basketball team recently ended their 2024-25 season with a loss to Indiana in the first round of the NCAA women’s March Madness tournament. Senior forward Maye Toure finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, but it ultimately wasn’t enough as the Hoosiers took down the Runnin’ Utes 76-68. The Utes finished the year with 22 wins and 9 losses. From her birthplace in Athis-mons, France, through 16 years of basketball across two continents, Toure has dedicated herself to becoming the best basketball player possible.
At age 6, Toure said she found herself drawn to basketball, following in her older sister's footsteps.
"I just started playing because my sister was playing," Toure said. "That just made me fall in love with the game of basketball."
Maye Toure shoots a 3-point FG against Kansas at the Huntsman Center on Jan. 22. (Photo Credit to Utah Athletics)
France vs. United States
Toure's journey, from 12 years playing in France through four seasons at the University of Rhode Island and now in her first and final year at Utah, represents more than just a personal achievement. Her ability to blend European basketball IQ with American physicality has made her a standout contributor during Utah's tournament run, said assistant coach Morgan Bailey, who has observed how different basketball cultures shape players' development.
“It’s a very cerebral game, and so usually people coming from Europe are high-IQ kids,” Bailey said.
Basketball intelligence — the ability to analyze the game, anticipate plays and make strategic decisions on the court — can vary across different basketball cultures. This basketball IQ difference is something Toure said she recognized immediately.
“In the U.S., it's a lot more physical,” she said.
Morgan Bailey (far left in white) helps coach the Utes’ to an 81-76 victory in Provo against BYU on Jan. 25. (Photo Credit to Utah Athletics)
The changes Toure experienced from playing basketball in two different continents has enhanced her game, she said. Even with the changes from country to country, Toure added she appreciates the distinct qualities from both styles of play.
“One thing I love about the United States is the hard-working mentality,” said Toure. “I think that really got me better and got me to where I am today.”
Having a tough mentality is needed for playing basketball in the United States as it is no easy task. From practicing five times a week, balancing homework and traveling to away games, the process can be rough.
Maye Toure shoots a 3-pointer against Utah State at the Delta Center (to showcase the growth of women’s basketball and provide a larger venue) on Dec. 4. (Photo Credit to Utah Athletics)
Toure said that the French style emphasizes structured plays rather than free-flowing offense.
“I like designed plays more than just motions because it helps with understanding the basics of the game,” she added.
Toure attended Alain Fournier High School in Bourges, about three hours south of Paris, before coming to the United States in 2020 to play collegiately. During her time at Rhode Island, Toure was named to the 2022-23 Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team, earned the 2022-23 Atlantic 10 Most Improved Player of the Year, and was selected to the 2023-24 Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference First Team. As the tallest player on the Rams’ roster, Toure said she began to develop a personalized style of play.
“At Rhode Island, I was the main presence in the paint,” she said. “It helped me find out what moves I liked, what things worked with me, what didn't and also rebounding a lot.”
‘Expect greatness’
When it comes to dedication, Toure stands out, Bailey said, pointing to the forward’s perfectionism and winning mentality.
“[She’s] one of the hardest-working players I've dealt with,” said Bailey. “She expects perfection out of herself, which makes her a winner. And she works so hard that you can expect greatness.”
Morgan Bailey helping direct a drill during a practice. (Photo Credit to Utah Athletics)
Bailey expanded on what it means to be a winner, describing it as someone who works hard enough to create and meet their own expectations of success.
“To me, Maye has that winning mentality, " Bailey said. “I've never met someone who wants to win as much as Maye wants to.”
As a teammate, Toure said she focuses on specific contributions to help her team succeed.
“I’m trying to run hard in transition,” she said. “I’m trying to post up and help the team with rebounding, too.”
Last year at Rhode Island, Toure averaged 12.5 points, as well as 7.7 rebounds, both team season highs.
One Year with Utah
After four years at Rhode Island, Toure is spending her last collegiate year in Salt Lake City with the Runnin’ Utes. Toure said she has found positive experiences and opportunities with both the team and the school’s culture.
“Everybody involved with the team has good intentions,” Toure said. “They're very good people, and it's just genuine, and everybody works hard.”
Utah bench celebrates a FG against UCF on Feb. 8. at the Huntsman Center.
With just her one year at Utah, she already has the eyes of many fans. One of those fans is Jace Neal, a nursing major at Salt Lake Community College, who finds enjoyment at every home game, being an avid fan of the school since 2020. Neal said Toure’s work ethic caught his eye and is impressed by her abilities around the rim.
“I really think she hustles well around the court,” said Neal. “She’s a great player and a fantastic rebounder inside the paint.”
She said she also appreciates the team’s focus and responsibility, noting an absence of drama, on or off the court.
“You don't have to chase anybody, and you can just focus on playing basketball,” Toure said. “Everybody's respectful. Everybody works hard. And it's actually a family.”
Looking to the future, Toure said she is applying basketball lessons to life beyond the hardwood.
“Basketball helps me be a person that's consistent in my work ethic on and off the court,” she said.
Maye Toure shoots a free throw against the Kansas Jayhawks on Jan. 22. (Photo Credit to Utah Athletics)
“We have great coaches, great teammates and play around people that are very talented. I just learn every day from everybody, and I'm very lucky to be here.”
This season Toure averaged 13.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and shooting just above 45% from the field and will be eligible for the 2025 WNBA draft.