Louisville basketball still has four open scholarships.. What will they do?
** Updated 6/1/22 **
In case you haven’t heard, Louisville basketball still needs guards. In the first 65+ days on the job, Kenny Payne has done a tremendous job building out his staff, re-recuriting & securing Chris Mack roster holdovers, while also recruiting the class of 2022 and 2023.
As expected, Louisville basketball saw a ton of roster movement as five players decided to move on via the transfer portal. That left scholarships available for Payne to rebuild a roster that more closely resembles what fans were used to seeing at programs like Kentucky, Duke, and Oregon, where his assistants previously resided. Payne hit a home run, landing former five-star recruit Brandon Hatley-Huntfield a Tennessee transfer. He also added arguably the best shooter in the class of 2022 in Devin Ree, who had previously been committed to LSU.
Emoni Bates, another former five-star recruit, has also been connected to Louisville basketball via the transfer portal. It appeared the momentum was building for a potential commitment in April but reports indicated Bates was likely to wait until mid-June to commit. It still appears that the Cards are in the drivers seats for the former no. 1 rated recruit but nothing is set in stone. If he goes elsewhere, Louisville would still need as many as two to three more guards. Should Bates commit, Louisville basketball would still have three scholarships to use with one one “true” guard on the roster in El Ellis.
That last line has sparked a bit of an online debate. Ellis primarily played at the two guard last season but as his tweet indicated and as he told Jeff Greer on the Floyd Street’s Finest Podcast, he is the point guard. The answer of whether UofL has another ball-handling guard on the roster changes depending on who you’re talking to. Some believe redshirt freshman Mike James could be a star and fit at the two, as a NBA-like SG. Others think Kamari Lands and Devin Ree, both standing 6’8, could play at that spot thanks to their size, ball-handling abilities, and outside shooting.
Regardless of where you personally stand, we can all agree more traditional guards are needed.
The transfer portal has shrunken significantly as most of the top players have landed on new rosters. Only a handful of high-caliber players remain, with most currently in the process of making decisions on staying in the 2022 NBA Draft or returning to college. With deadlines approaching, I thought it would be a good time to take a look at the full landscape and see who could be potential targets for Louisville.
We all know Payne is going to move silently behind the scenes, but if Louisville adds another player from the portal they are likely to be included below.
Let’s take a look.
Listen to Starting Five02 Podcast with Jeff Greer – “Real G’s Move In Silence”
Teddy Allen – New Mexico State, Super Sr.
2021-22 averages: 19.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 43% FG, 33% 3PT
If you can stomach the fact that Teddy Allen will suit up for his sixth team in six years, you’ll be satisfied with the scoring impact he brings. Allen was one of the most dynamic scorers in all of CBB last season, averaging nearly 20 points and 7 rebounds per game (much like Malachi Smith), shooting 43% from the field. Albeit in the WAC, Allen scored in double-digits on all occasions last year except for one and scored 20+ points in 17 games. Allen earned All-WAC First Team and was the conference player of the year before leading NMSU to a NCAA Tournament upset over UConn. This kid is legit and wherever he goes he’ll be a dynamic scorer. I’m all for Louisville getting in line here, especially considering there aren’t a ton of teams who still have needs at guard.
Update: Teddy Allen will stay in the 2022 NBA Draft thus ending his college career.
Jacob Grandison – Illinois, Gr.
2021-22 averages: 9.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.3 apg
Jacob Grandison is one of the more notable names that’s entered the portal since the May 1 deadline. Following returning to Illinois from the NBA Draft, Grandison hit the portal in hopes of finding greener grass for his final season of college basketball. While Grandison comes with zero name power, he’s a guard who has plenty of experience playing for a top team in a top conference. After transferring to Illinois from Holy Cross, Grandison has been a solid role player for Brad Underwood, averaging 7 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist per game, shooting 41% from deep. He had 13 games of double-digit scoring in 2021, including 18 games with two or more three’s. Grandison would immediately provide Louisville with a battle-tested, proven sharp shooter who could play opposite of El Ellis. He’d also provide solid defense as well as legitimate rebounding prowess. Grandison will no doubt be looking for a bigger role at his next step. At this point beggars can’t be choosers. Grandison would be a solid role player at worst and maybe a fringe breakout candidate at his best. During the height of their run through the Big Ten, Brad Underwood described Grandison’s role and importance to the team, saying “He was probably as important to our success as any player we had.”
AJ Green – Northern Iowa, Gr.
2021-22 averages: 18.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 41% FG, 38% 3PT
Green was dominant at UNI over three years after being a highly-touted four-star recruit. He’s now deciding between Duke (where he recently visited) and Iowa State, where his father is the associate head coach. Louisville was never a team mentioned as being interested. He’s a strong scorer, who will thrive on a team where he’s got the ball in his hands. Not sure he fits what Louisville is looking to do as he’s not a great athlete, but still think he would be a solid piece if UofL did pursue.
Update: AJ Green will forgo his extra year of eligibility and remain in the 2022 NBA Draft. Duke and Iowa State were reported as schools he was considering from the portal.
Isiaih Mosley – Missouri State, Gr.
2021-22 averages: 20.4 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 50% FG, 43% 3PT
I didn’t include Mosley on this list when writing the initial piece but after he officially returned back to college after declaring for the NBA Draft, you can’t rule anything out. According to most college basketball pundits, Mosley is one of the top transfers available after transferring from Missouri State. It appeared early on that Texas Tech, Kansas, and Mississippi State were the schools most likely to receive a commitment. But since Mosley has been going through the draft process other moves have happened (Kevin McCullar to Kansas, Jalen Wilson returning to Kansas, Elijah FIsher committing to TTU,), which could allow Louisville to re-enter. Mosley doesn’t necessarily fit the bill as a Kenny Payne type player as he’s not a great athlete and doesn’t possess a lot of speed. But where Mosley is dangerous is in the half-court, using his body and handles to get good looks for himself and others. He’s one of the craftiest players in the country (it’s sorta like watching James Harden in a way) and should be able to translate his game at a higher level. I doubt Kenny Payne is involved seriously but never say never.
Justin Powell – Tennessee, Jr.
2021-22 averages: 3.7 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.7 apg, 39% FG, 38% 3PT
At one point in 2020, Justin Powell looked to be a star on the rise at Auburn and a potential one-and-done player. Fast forward to today, and Powell is looking for his third school in three years and is further away from reaching the goals that looked attainable as a freshman. Powell struggled to find his role for UT, playing behind Santiago Vescovi, Josiah-Jordan James, and Kennedy Chandler, Powell was wildly inconsistent, mostly coming off of the bench for Rick Barnes. Despite the talent and potential shown in 2020, Powell looked like a fringe role player who struggled to do what he did the year prior, in lesser minutes. When you see a drop in scoring like Powell had, going from nearly 12 points per game to 3 points per game, you question the kid but also have to look around him. It’s clear the crowded back court hurt Powell, but the rest of his struggles never really made sense. Maybe being back home in Louisville, Powell could resurrect what he did as a freshman. HIs deep shooting is a strength as is his athleticism and ability to make plays. Only KP and Powell know if he’d be a good fit with the culture Louisville needs, but if he does he’s a young piece who could be developed.
Malachi Smith – Chattanooga, RS Sr. (2-years remaining)
2021-22 averages :19.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.0 apg, 49% FG, 40% 3PT
Malachi Smith seems to be the most attainable big time player left for Louisville basketball. He was the 2021-22 SoCon Conference Player of the Year and rightfully so. Say what you will about the competition, but Smith dominated, averaging nearly 20 points and 7 rebounds. He did so shooting an incredible 49% from the field and 40% from deep. While Tyrese Hunter felt like a great fit, Smith may be the best fit available for Louisville in the back court. Smith can play both the one and two, leading the way with scoring while also being able to make plays for others (he finished with 5+ assists in seven games last year). He’s focused on the NBA but he’ll have to make a final decision sooner rather than later. I expect to hear Louisville mentioned but we may not know until after the June 1 NBA Deadline.
Update: Officially pulled out of 2022 NBA Draft and will play somewhere other than UT Chattanooga and South Carolina (where Lamont Paris, Malachi’s coach at UT-C, is now the head coach). Doesn’t appear Louisville’s involved. Likely Gonzaga. Could Rasir Bolton coming back be enough for Smith to look elsewhere?
Courtney Ramey – Texas, Gr.
2021-22 averages: 9.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.6 apg, 39% FG, 35% 3PT
Courtney Ramey’s numbers don’t come close to comparing to other names mentioned thus far, but his experience and time playing in one of the best conferences should make him attractive. Ramey has been going through the NBA Draft process but has kept his options open on whether to return for a graduate season. The numbers are a little meh (especially compared to other players) but when you look at the context it changes things (at least for me). Ramey has always been the third fiddle at Texas, playing alongside guards like Andrew Jones, Kerwin Roach, Marcus Carr, and Matt Coleman. There’s no telling what he could be in a system where he’s one of the top pieces. Even at 22 years of age, I think there’s a little potential left to be uncovered with Ramey. He checks the boxes in terms of fitting within Kenny Payne’s scheme. Not only that, he defends and has played in a high-octane system under both Shaka Smart & Chris Beard. Ramey may not have the sexiness to his name that others have, but I think he’d be a damn good piece next to El Ellis.
Update: Courtney Ramey officially pulled out of the 2022 NBA Draft and will play his super senior season somewhere new. Louisville SHOULD get involved.
Update: Duke and Houston are looked to be the favorites for Ramey, according to Jeff Goodman. However, Louisville is involved.
Jaxson Robinson – Arkansas, Junior
2021-22 averages: 3.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg, 0.4 apg, 38% FG, 32% 3PT
If Kenny Payne has interest in building out the tallest and longest team possible, than Jaxson Robinson is the perfect guard candidate. In all seriousness, Robinson’s single greatest attribute is his size. Listed as a 6’7 combo-guard, Robinson is a former top 100 recruit who has struggled to find his footing in the SEC. By no means is Robinson a finished product. In fact, you’d be taking a chance on someone with a lot of talent who has shown to be rather unproven. However, he was a reclassifier who jumped into college ball likely too early that could benefit from a fresh start. What would Louisville stand to gain? He’s shown to be a decent shooter as well as a capable defender and rebounder. There’s no real idea what he can be with the ball in his hands as he has yet to be utilized that way. For now, he’s a project but could prove to be a hidden gem.
Grant Sherfield – Nevada, Sr.(2-years remaining)
2021-22 averages: 19.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 6.4 apg, 43% FG, 33% 3PT
Sherfield, a 6-2 189-pound combo guard, who last season, as a junior, averaged 19 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds per game. Sherfield shot 44% from the floor, but only 33% from the three-point line. Louisville has not yet been connected to Sherfield but as the guard pool shrinks, but he may become a more intriguing option. By the numbers, he’s the best play maker on the board and he still brings a high level of scoring. When looking at the needs for Louisville, Sherfield fits what they want to do. He can make plays for others. He can score at all three levels (although his 3pt shooting needs work and could be a weakness), and he can defend. Like almost every guard on this list, Sherfield has been locked into the NBA Draft process. He’s not currently listed on any mock drafts, which could lead him back to college for another year, or he could get a jump start on a professional career in the G-League or Overseas. If he comes back to college, Louisville has to get involved.
Update: Committed to Oklahoma on 5/25
Rondel Walker – Oklahoma State, Jr.
2021-22 averages: 4.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 36% FG, 28% 3PT
Walker, a 6-foot-5, 180-pound shooting guard, and former 4-star recruit, entered the transfer portal on April 29. As a freshman in 2020-21, Walker played in 29 games, making seven starts in the final stretch of the regular. He averaged 7.8 points, 2,9 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Walker’s production dipped during his sophomore season. He averaged 4.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game in his second season at Oklahoma State. Walker’s numbers don’t blow you away, and the dip in production from his freshman to sophomore season is concerning, but he is elite size and athleticism at the guard position. Kenny Payne is accustomed to coaching guards with elite size and athleticism so I think Louisville will give Walker a hard look.
Update: Committed to TCU on 5/29
Rocket Watts – Mississippi State, Sr. (2-years remaining)
2021-22 averages: 4.4 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 0.6 apg, 40% FG, 26%
Rocket Watts is a name you are likely familiar with. He was a Chris Mack recruit early in his tenure who ultimately chose to go to Michigan State before moving on to Mississippi State. Watts, like many, is once again looking for a new team. He’s not a top target by any means, but despite underachieving through two years, he could be an intriguing fit. Watts is a dynamic, athletic guard who has yet to find the right fit for him. Does that exist? Who knows. All I know is he’s a talented kid with potential and we know what that means under Kenny Payne. If Watts is interested in a restart, his size, athleticism, and scoring ability could be a nice addition to Louisville’s rotation. If not, then he’ll likely end up at a low major program where he can be the guy.
Updated: Committed to Oakland on 5/28
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