The real season is about to get underway for Louisville basketball. Welcome to the most important offseason in program history.
This is the most important offseason in Louisville basketball history. Period.
Just a decade removed from back-to-back Final Fours, a national title, and one of the greatest runs in school history, Louisville hired Kenny Payne as its head coach.
Two years later, well… Things could not feel more polar opposite of the decade prior.
Payne won 12 games in two seasons with Louisville basketball- One less than the Cards won the prior season with Chris Mack and Mike Pegues.
We went into the dirty, disgusting, nightmare-inducing details of what went wrong here. But now, it’s time to look forward.
As we do so, UofL and AD Josh Heird face the most important hire in school history.
Louisville’s roster needs serious work to become a top-25 roster. But it is possible to turn it over and turn it over quickly… With the right coach.
If it is a Scott Drew (we’ll talk about his recruiting haul a little further down) or Nate Oats, the caliber of players who could in theory be added to the roster is through the roof.
From a recruiting standpoint, portal standpoint, and the potential to retain players like Brandon Huntley-Hatfield, Kaleb Glenn, Curtis Williams, Mike James, Skyy Clark, etc. Louisville could become a national contender again overnight.
If it’s not Drew, Oats, Eric Musselman, or a coach with an already highly ranked recruiting class, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad.
Dusty May, Josh Schertz, and a handful of others would be able to bring over players, but would probably be adding more from outside of their current rosters.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at what the roster looks like right now, what the future could hold, and who is already in the transfer portal.
Scholarships available
13 scholarships is/ are (?) still the number here. With Davis hitting the portal and Dennis Evans being unable to continue playing, that leaves three scholarships available to get to the magic number.
Louisville has one player committed in the class of 2024 in TJ Robinson, a three-star guard from New Jersey. Committing back in October 2022, it seemed Robinson was locked in on the Cards. It doesn’t appear that will be the case, as he didn’t sign during the early period, and with Payne no longer coaching or recruiting for Louisville, Robinson will likely be headed elsewhere soon. For now, he’s a Card – which technically means two scholarships to fill.
Projected 2024-2025 Louisville Basketball Roster
** Updated 3/11
Editors note: Includes JJ Traynor, although we do not know at this time whether he’ll have another year of eligibility or if he’ll return to Louisville.
| Name | Position | Year | Height | Weight |
| JJ Traynor | F | Graduate | 6’9 | 190 |
| Brandon Huntley-Hatfield | F | Senior | 6’10 | 240 |
| Mike James | G/F | RS Junior | 6’6 | 200 |
| Skyy Clark | G | Junior | 6’3 | 205 |
| Danilo Jovanovich | F | Junior | 6’8 | 220 |
| Emmanuel Okorafor | F | Junior | 6’9 | 220 |
| Tre White | G | Junior | 6’7 | 205 |
| Ty-Laur Johnson | G | Sophomore | 6’0 | 160 |
2024 Louisville Basketball Commitments
Louisville basketball’s lone 2024 commitment, T.J. Robinson, backed off his pledge. That leaves no players committed in the class.
Players not returning
| Name | Position | Year | Height | Weight |
| Koron Davis | G/F | Junior | 6’7 | 200 |
| Kaleb Glenn | F | Freshman | 6’6 | 205 |
| Dennis Evans | C | Freshman | 7’1 | 210 |
| Curtis Williams | F | Freshman | 6’6 | 205 |
3/18 update – The transfer portal is officially open as of Monday, March 18th and there’s already movement for Louisville basketball.
In a somewhat suprirsing move, Louisville native and freshman forward Kaleb Glenn was the first Card to enter the portal. Glenn had his ups and downs for Louisville in 2023-24, but for the most part was a consistent player who provided effort, rebounding, and scoring. Many (including myself) thought Glenn would be here to stay, regardless of the coach thanks to his Dwayne Sutton-like play. It will be interesting to see where Glenn lands. I wouldn’t rule out a return to Louisville basketball just yet.
Another freshman who showed promise in the midst of the ups and downs was Curtis Williams. Hailed as a great shooter out of college, Williams lived up to that at times, showing an ability to get hot and score in bunches. However, his shot and shot selection fell flat as the season progressed – limiting his role on the floor. He’s another player who could in theory be a fit with the next coach, and he’ll also likely assess options and evaluate a return based on who is hired.
Numbers will fluctuate over the coming days, as I fully expect to see several Cardinals be a part of the early portal wave.
So what’s out there? What is going to happen with recruits committed currently?
Here’s where we’ll keep a running list of big-name entries.
2024 Transfer Portal
Vasean Allette, G
Old Dominion – 2024: Sophomore
17.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.1 apg
It’s rare at any level in college basketball for a freshman to average 17 points per game, so when they do it catches your attention. Despite being dismissed from Old Dominion after 18 games played, Allette could be one of the most coveted guards to start things off due to his ability to be a proven scorer.
With no head coach, it is impossible to say one way or the other if he’d consider a player from a mid-major with red flags (being dismissed from the team). I won’t even attempt to assume. However, with no real reporting around his dismissal, I’m forced to read between the lines. He’s kicked off the team for “behavior unbecoming of a Monarch” in a season where there’s an assistant as the interim head coach doing to the long-time coach suffering a heart attack. That led to his retirement and the naming of a new coach, in a bit of an up-and-down year for ODU. My guess is unless its something major that’s beind held under wraps, there’s going to be a long list of teams lining up for Allette’s scoring prowess as just a sophomore.
Dusan Neskovic, F
Dartmouth – 2024: Graduate
16.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.1 apg
It’s early, so there’s not a tonnnnnn to get excited about. Neskovic was a solid piece for a bad Dartmouth team, and he’ll likely parlay his success to a power 6 scholarship. Will it be Louisville? Very unlikely. But he’s a stretch 4, with nice size who can slash, defend, and score. He had a solid game against Duke in the season opener dropping 23 points.
Andrew Taylor, G
Mississippi State –
3.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.3 apg
Can I interest you in a Kentucky native? Andrew Taylor, of Corbin, KY, played four years at Marshall before transferring to Mississippi State this past season. Things didn’t work out in Starkville as everyone had hoped, as Taylor averaged a pedestrian four points in seven games. Don’t dismiss him as a serious piece to a roster though. Taylor was a dominant mid-major player prior, earning All-Sun Belt 1st team honors in 2022.
I am not really sure what led to Mississippi State dismissing Taylor from the team early in the season, or why he only played in a handful of games. Injury and “personal reasons” seem to be what Google and Twitter turn up.
Taylor was a dominant scorer and ball handler at Marshall who comes equipped with in the gym range. He shot over 33% in each of his five seasons of basketball, with his best coming in ‘20-’21 when he shot nearly 42% from deep.
If there aren’t any major red flags, this is one I’d be willing to hear more about – especially as Louisville looks to solve its shooting woes.
Jacob Crews, G
UT Martin – 6’7, 210 pounds
19.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.1 apg
Crews is probably the top available guard in the portal at this point. He played for UT Martin, who won the OVC regular season title but bowed out early to eventual champion, Morehead State. Quickly following the end of the season, Crews went portaling and will be pursued by a bevy of recognizable names in college basketball.
Could one be Louisville? Time will tell.
However, what I will say is this: If you hire a Scott Drew, or a Nate Oats, or an Eric Musselman, these are the types of guys Louisville will instantly be in on. It will be nice to see Louisville included in the list of schools mentioned for elite recruits by the Joe Tipton’s, Jon Rothstein’s, and even Trilly Donovan’s of the world.
Crews averaged nearly 20 points per game on just 13 shots per game during the 2023-24 season. Not only was he effecient shooting in general, (49% from the field) but he shot 41% from three on nearly 7-attempts per game.
Had 20 and 7 in a loss against NC State earlier this year.
Dude’s nice.
Non-portal but soon-to-portal
Kanye Clary, G
Penn State – 5’11, 195
16.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.8 apg
Last year, I included Skyy Clark in this category because he left Illinois after 13 games but didn’t enter the portal. There’s another guard who is in a similar situation and that’s Kanye Clary.
The sophomore guard was electric as a scorer for Mike Rhoades at Penn State in 2023-24, however, due to issues off the court he was dismissed in early 2024. Rumors have it that it was purely related to academics, which means we will likely see a ton of interest around Clary once he does portal.
Obviously, interest is all going to depend on a head coach. But for the sake of informing on the portal, transfers, recruits, etc. I want Louisville fans to know this dude is a DAWG.
As a true sophomore, Clary led Penn State in scoring averaging 17 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, shooting 37% from three. The Nittany Lions weren’t a great team in Rhoades first year, but Clary was one of the bright spots. After averaging just 3.7 points per game as a freshman, Clary bounced back in a major way becoming one of the top scorers in the Big Ten, notching double-digit scoring totals 18 times, including 10 times scoring 20+ points.
He’s not an overly efficient player, and he’s 5’11 – two things a lot of folks may be turned off by. Then add being suspended/kicked off the team for grades, and it may not be a great cultural fit in year one for a new coach.
Crazier things have happened and coaches can overlook grades for talent. Louisville probably won’t get involved, but I would love them to because Clary is a all-conference guard in the right system.
Recruits with coaches on the hot seat
Washington – Mike Hopkins (Already fired)
Zoom Diallo – PG
6’4, 190
Napa, CA (Prolific Prep)
Holds offers from: Arizona, FSU, Gonzaga, USC, Alabama, others
Ranking: #34
NC State – Kevin Keatts (On heat seat)
Paul McNeil, SG
6’6, 185
Raleigh, NC (Richmond)
Holds offers from: Alabama, Clemson, Georgetown, Illinois, Miami, others
Ranking: #64 (247 Sports)
Trey Parker, SG
6’2, 170
Atlanta, GA (Overtime Elite)
Holds offers from: n/a
Ranking: #129
Baylor – Scott Drew (Candidate for Louisville job)
Jason Asemota – SF
6’8, 190
Phoenix, AZ (Hillcrest Prep)
Ranking: #46 (247 Sports)
VJ Edgecombe – SG
6’5, 180
Glen Head, NY (Long Island Lutheran)
Ranking: #5 (247 Sports)
** Edgecombe is the only Baylor commit to not sign during the early period.
Robert Wright – PG
6’0, 165
Montverde, FL (Montverde Academy)
Ranking: #24 (247 Sports)
Noah Boyed, PF/C
7’0, 230 pounds
Mccook, NE (McCook C.C.)
Ranking: n/a
Arizona State – Bobby Hurley (On hot seat)
Amier Ali, SF
6’8, 175
Queen Creek, AZ (Canyon International)
Holds offers from: Florida State, Alabama, Ohio State, Arkansas, others
Ranking: #84 (national – 24/7)
Sammie Yeanay, PF
6’8, 230
Chandler, AZ (Compass Prep)
Holds offers from: Florida, Alabama, Houston, Virginia Tech, Texas Tech, others
Ranking: #88 (247 Sports)
Michigan – Juwan Howard (On heat seat)
Khani Rooths, PF
6’8, 200
Bradenton, FL (IMG Academy)
Holds offers from: Georgia, Florida State, Indiana, Maryland, Others
Ranking: #35
Oregon – Dana Altman (Rumored to be exploring retirement)
Vyctorius Miller – SG
6’5, 170
Chandler, AZ (Compass Prep)
Holds offers from: LSU, California, USC, Auburn, and Others
Ranking: #59
Dez Lindsay – SF
6’6, 195
Louisville, KY (Florida SouthWestern State College)
Holds offers from: Rhode Island, Arkansas State, Georgia Southern
Arkansas – Eric Musselman (Rumored Louisville candidate)
Isaiah Elohim – SF
6’5, 190
Chatsworth, CA (Sierra Canyon)
Holds offers from: Kansas, Villanova, Florida State, and Others
Ranking: #44 (247 Sports)
Jalen Shelley – SF
6’8, 190
Branson, MO (Link Academy)
Holds offers from: Alabama, Houston, Creighton, Iowa, and Others
Ranking: #71 (247 Sports)
Uncommitted class of 2024 players
Montverde, FL (Montverde)
Decommitted from Indiana
Ranking: #16
Arlington, VA (Bishop O’Connell)
Ranking: #20
Chatsworth, CA (Sierra Canyon)
Ranking: #136
Atlanta, GA (Overtime Elite)
Decommitted from Providence
Ranking #78
This will be updated continually throughout the season. Stay tuned.
