Louisville basketball received massive news when class of 2024 5-star Trentyn Flowers committed and reclassified to the class of 2023. But is the newest Card ready to make the jump? Let’s break down his full-game film and assess the good and bad in Flowers’ game.
It’s safe to say that the addition of 6’9 five-star combo guard Trentyn Flowers is the most impactful moment for Louisville basketball in the Kenny Payne era.
Since concluding the season, Louisville has parted ways with five players: freshmen Fabio Basili, Devin Ree, and Kamari Lands, senior Syndey Curry, and sophomore Rose Wheeler. In that time frame, the Cards have added five-star center Dennis Evans, class of 2022 four-star Skyy Clark, and now, the highly regarded Flowers.
Flowers chose the Cardinals over UNC, Arkansas, Creighton, Kansas, and Alabama.
Flowers first visited Louisville unofficially with a former teammate, and he was sold on the atmosphere right away.
“Going to the football game, getting to see everything. I was like ‘man, the atmosphere, the environment, like just the feeling of being at the school is crazy,” Flowers told the Prince of Hoops Podcast. So, it was really just like a no-brainer with the new coaching staff, with Coach KP and coach Nolan (Smith). Those are both my guys. So, man, I’m super excited.”
But, how do Kenny Payne the Louisville staff envision Flowers’ role as a Cardinal?
“Coming a year early, and still coming in and being an impact player,” Flowers explained. “They see me being able to play all three guard spots, just letting me play my game, being versatile. As it is, I’m already a willing defender. I like to rebound the basketball. So, on the defensive side of the ball, I’m gonna do what I do. But, offensively, let me play inside and out, and bring my whole entire skillset to the game.”
Flowers is committed to turning pro sooner rather than later, which is the reason for his jump to college.
“I’m giving up the Jordan Brand (Classic), being a McDonald’s All-American. I’m not chasing that type of stuff. I’m chasing the NBA. I want to be a successful professional basketball player. I have bigger goals in front of me, and at the same time, I didn’t want to lose sight being caught up in everything. So, I felt personally, reclassifying was the best decision for me and my family, and we thought I was ready.”
Flowers’ progress has been aided with the help of his father, Travis, a former pro who runs the Life and Basketball Academy.
“He literally has 24/7 access to a gym, which he will live in if you let him,” Jefferson County coach Bryan Parker told the Athens Banner-Herald. “He’s a gym rat and you have to pull him out of the gym most of the time.”
Flowers averaged 15.5 points and 6.4 rebounds on 45% shooting and 33% from 3-point range in 2022-23.
The highlight tape shows a polished player who meets or exceeds the hype.
However, I wanted to know what Flowers could look like at the next level. The best opportunity to evaluate his strengths and weaknesses comes in games against the top competition in the country. That’s why I checked out footage of his games on the Nike EYBL circuit and in a match-up against Camden High School.
Particularly honing in on Combine Academy’s matchup against Camden in February at Frankfort’s Kentucky State University, Flowers went head-to-head against two of the best players in the 2023 class: DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw.
Breaking down the full game tape
Before we get too in-depth, I must make a disclaimer: A lot of these “showcase” games tend to be lethargic and rhythmless. It gives you perspective on how good coaches have to be at having an eye for talent because these were some of the premier players in the country and it looked nothing like the college game.
In a typical game, Flowers’ team plays with a shotclock and often has a better chance for preparation. Games like Combine and Camden facing off are an opportunity for top players to get in front of college coaches and scouts. Without a shot clock and players not really wanting to risk injury, the games themselves tend to lack much entertainment value, and players never get into the flow of the game. They are often lopsided results.
With that out of the way, here are some takeaways after viewing the good, bad, and everything in between.
– To start, Flowers is obviously incredibly gifted. He has that kind of vibe that fans might complain about where it looks so easy that his effort may be questioned. He can do things most of his opponents just won’t be able to, which is already indicative of his next-level readiness.
– Flowers, as of right now, is a guard. And that is great because of his size, but also concerning. He didn’t look like he wanted any business mucking it up with Camden’s Aaron Bradshaw, who was a dominant force inside all game.
He was conservative on defense and a little more dependent on his size than I’d like to see. He’s clearly athletic as hell so I want to see that a lot more on defense and on the boards. I’m not sure I remember him battling for a rebound in 32 minutes. That’s no bueno.
– He is very mid-range oriented. He was almost automatic from 10-16 feet and has a college-level repertoire of moves to free himself up. Flowers went back to the basket, used a number of step back and side step moves to free himself up, and he looks confident and as polished in the mid-range as any recruit since Samuell Williamson.
– Flowers is an above-average slasher and cutter. Once he gets more strength and explosiveness, that will be a major upside to his game and a thorn in the side of opponents.
– He is an above-average passer for his age and size. He plays with his eyes up and has the willingness to create from all areas of the floor.
– I don’t want to harp on this too much, but he must become a better, more willing defender if he is wanting to be a starter right away for Louisville.
Flowers is quick as hell and moves laterally well, but I think it’s more of a lack of effort and willingness to be an aggressor than an inability. I think Louisville will want to see him play 20+ minutes per game, but he will not unless he gives great defensive effort.
– He has the frame to grow, so I think this is a non-issue, but Flowers has to add weight to his body. He is relatively explosive on both ends, but he will get pushed around at his current weight.
I’m intrigued to see the staff’s vision for him. Do they think his areas that need improvement will be corrected once he gets into a college strength program? And will the approach be baptism by fire? I can see him starting or playing serious minutes right away, but there will almost certainly be growing pains.
Overall, the excitement and hype over Flowers is warranted. With a few months of experience in a college strength and conditioning program and facing high-level opponents, Flowers will likely bloom into an instant-impact contributor for Louisville basketball.
