The college basketball season is over, but there has been no shortage of news from the Louisville basketball team. As always with a new coach comes roster and coaching staff turnaround. Everybody has a decision, whether to enter the transfer portal or return with Kenny Payne next year. A lot goes into these decisions and ultimately the player must do what they believe is best for them. For certain players a fresh start is needed with a new team, for others, a new coach at the same school is all they need to excel. In today’s transfer portal frenzy, it is impossible to know what will happen. Let’s take a look at the Louisville basketball roster to this point.
Who is Going?
These are the guys that will be entering the transfer portal, looking to find a fresh start with a new team.
Noah Locke
Locke, who transferred from Florida to Louisville last year, will be entering the portal as a grad transfer. Locke averaged almost 10 ppg and can be deadly from three point range. A lot more was expected from him, but he never really found his groove. Locke only shot about 34 percent from three compared to his 40 percent the previous year for Florida.
Samuell Williamson
The former five-star McDonald’s All-American never really found it in his three years at Louisville. Williamson always seemed to lack confidence on the court and will be searching for that, through the transfer portal.
Dre Davis
Davis was a tough one to see leave the Louisville basketball roster. A good player who brought energy and tenacity to the frontcourt all season long. Many people said that he and Kenny Payne had a discussion and decided it would be best for him if he did enter the transfer portal. Playing time and the new system may have played a part in this decision. Nonetheless, a team will be very lucky to add Dre Davis.
Thank you Louisvile ❤️? pic.twitter.com/4I5qXQPKFH
— Dre Davis (@DAndreDavis) April 7, 2022
Matt Cross
Former Miami transfer joined the Cards last year. A sharpshooter from three at Miami turned into a 28 percent three-point shooter at Louisville. Another player that just did not reach his highest potential under Chris Mack. He can be a great addition to a team if he can return to being a three-point sharpshooter.
Gabe Wiznitzer
The former four-star was primarily a bench player for the Cardinals in the last two seasons. A guy who was always working hard on the court during his small opportunities should be a great addition through the transfer portal.
That makes five former Cardinals currently in the transfer portal. Roosevelt Wheeler is expected to return, but there has been no 100 percent confirmation thus far. It is worth mentioning Malik Williams, Jarrod West, and Mason Faulkner are leaving because of graduation.
Said in newsletter and on radio I wasn’t sure what Jae’Lyn Withers, Roosevelt Wheeler + JJ Traynor would decide for next season.
— Jeff Greer (@jeffgreer) April 7, 2022
As soon as I finished the radio, a source told me the current expectation is for all three to stay at Louisville. Could change but would be surprised. https://t.co/7L31n1H8SN
Who is Staying?
El Ellis
A massive return for the Cardinals. Ellis averaged almost nine points last year in 20 minutes played per game. Ellis is a playmaker. He is able to set others up and create shots for himself at the rim. I am super excited to see what he can do under a new system and a new coaching staff for the 2022-23 season.
3 Da Hard Way❤️ pic.twitter.com/LANuuUXsQu
— ?? ?????? (@elellis3) April 4, 2022
Card Nation My Loyalty Run’s Deep❤️ pic.twitter.com/08PsWSqh4u
— ?? ?????? (@elellis3) March 31, 2022
Sydney Curry
A beast down low, might have been the biggest return announcement for the Cardinals. One more offseason and training could make Curry a very dangerous threat to the ACC. The big guy averaged almost eight points in only 14 minutes per game. He should have gotten a lot more playing time and I think he should be able to reach his full potential under the new coaching staff.
? season mix?? pic.twitter.com/aFebQ5yR3I
— Sydney Curry (BIG TICKET) (@Bigticket_sc) April 4, 2022
Mike James
Former four-star 6’6″ forward will be returning for the Cardinals in 2022. James missed the entire season due to a preseason Achilles tear.
Back and Better Card Nation❤️⏳ pic.twitter.com/HY9HskwjGn
— ???? ?????✞ (@MichaelToReal0) April 4, 2022
Jae’lyn Withers
Withers had a standout 2020-21 season averaging about 10 ppg. He took a step back last season, but I think that was mostly due to coaching issues. Withers is at his best down low, bringing great energy to the frontcourt. This is a player I am excited to see come back to see if he can develop into a great ACC player. It would be awesome if he can be better than his 2020-21 self.
JJ Traynor
The Louisville native will return for another season. Not providing a whole lot last year, Traynor will be asked to do more and contribute more minutes and production next year. He provides good size down low and can really help out off the bench.
Arrivals
Kamari Lands is the only recruit for next year to this point. The four-star forward from Arizona stayed committed to the Cards through the coaching change.
With a .9808 rating via 247Sports, Kamari Lands is the second-highest rated recruit Chris Mack has landed at Louisville
— State of Louisville (@thestateoflou) January 1, 2022
pic.twitter.com/My5NP6JVm6
It will be interesting to see who else Kenny Payne and Nolan Smith can get, as there have already been rumors swirling about transfers and potential recruits. The big names rumored recently include DJ Wagner, UK transfer Bryce Hopkins, and the potential to flip a couple of current highly rated Duke recruits. The transfer portal will be huge to help grow this Louisville basketball roster into one that can make the NCAA tournament.
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