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Louisville basketball 2025

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Louisville basketball 2025


Louisville basketball’s 2025-26 roster appears set now that the NCAA has granted Aly Khalifa’s appeal for an additional season of eligibility.Khalifa is one of the Cardinals’ five returners from Year 1 of the Pat Kelsey era.The seven newcomers include three Division I veterans from the NCAA transfer portal, three international signees and one highly touted prospect from the high school ranks.Louisville basketball received some good news Friday, when it learned Aly Khalifa won his NCAA appeal for an additional season of eligibility.

With that, it appears as if the Cardinals’ roster for Year 2 of the Pat Kelsey era is set.

U of L returns five players from Kelsey’s inaugural campaign, during which the program reached the ACC Tournament championship game for the first time and ended a March Madness drought dating back to 2019. Its seven newcomers include three Division I veterans from the NCAA transfer portal, three international products and one highly touted prospect from the high school ranks.

Here’s a rundown of the scholarship players on the Cards’ 2025-26 roster, which is garnering sky-high expectations:

Mar 31, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; McDonald’s All American West guard Mikel Brown Jr. (11) shoots the ball during the Sprite Jam Fest at Barclay's Center. Mandatory Credit: Pamela Smith-Imagn Images

Mikel Brown Jr. is the 29th McDonald’s All-American in Louisville history. The 6-foot-3 product of DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, ranks among the top 10 players in the Class of 2025, regardless of position, on the 247Sports Composite. In February, ESPN had the incoming freshman point guard as a lottery pick in its first mock 2026 NBA Draft.

Mouhamed Camara, a 20-year-old forward, has been honing his game at NBA Academy Africa since 2023. The 6-7 Senegal native reportedly averaged 10.6 points, seven rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.8 steals and 2.5 blocks across academy events over the past year. As of Friday, he was the only new addition who had not yet been introduced as a signee.

Jan 14, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Ryan Conwell (7) celebrates with fans after defeating the Villanova Wildcats at the Cintas Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Louisville is Ryan Conwell‘s fourth school in as many years. The 6-4 guard from Indianapolis was Xavier’s second-best scorer in 2024-25, averaging 16.5 points on 45% shooting en route to third-team All-Big East honors. He led the Musketeers in made 3s (99) and attempts (240), good for a 41.3% clip, and also tallied 2.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists against 1.6 turnovers and 1.3 steals across 33 minutes per game.

Sananda Fru, a 6-11 forward, played in Germany’s top-flight Basketball Bundesliga from 2021-25. This season, the 21-year-old was named its Best Young German Player after averaging 12.3 points on 66% shooting with 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 29 games (28 starts) for Löwen Braunschweig.

Nov 28, 2024; Paradise Island, Bahamas, BHS; Louisville Cardinals guard J'Vonne Hadley (1) drives to the basket as West Virginia Mountaineers guard Toby Okani (5) defends during the first half at Imperial Arena at the Atlantis resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

 J’Vonne Hadley decided to run it back with Louisville after being granted an additional year of eligibility due to his time spent in the junior college ranks. The Minnesota native was the consummate glue guy for the Cards in 2024-25. He started all 35 games, led the team in rebounding (7.3), finished fourth in scoring (12.2) and punched above his 6-6 frame defensively.

Louisville center Aly Khalifa during Louisville Live at the KFC Yum! Center Friday night. Oct. 4, 2024

A deft passer, Khalifa led the Big 12 (and all DI bigs) with a 3.6 assist-turnover ratio in 2023-24 as a junior at BYU to go along with 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds across 19.4 minutes per game. The 6-11 Egyptian sat out of the 2024-25 season to recover from surgery to repair a hole in the cartilage of his left knee and proceeded to lose 50 pounds with the help of strength coach Eli Foy.

Dec 18, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Isaac McKneely (11) is introduced prior to the Cavaliers' game against the Memphis Tigers at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely was the ACC’s most accurate 3-point shooter in 2024-25 with a clip of 42.1% (101 for 240). The 6-4 guard from Poca, West Virginia, led the Cavaliers in scoring with 14.4 points on 43.9% shooting to go along with 2.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds across 34 minutes per contest as a junior. For his career, he is 233 for 552 (42.2%) from beyond the arc.

Louisville Cardinals forward Kasean Pryor (7) flexes after a first half slam dunk against Spalding University in the Cards' second exhibition game at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

Kasean Pryor waited until the day the transfer portal closed to announce his return to Louisville for the 2025-26 season after a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee cut short his 2024-25 campaign in late November. Across seven appearances, the 6-10 forward from Chicago averaged 12 points on 36.8% shooting (5 for 33 from 3) with 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks across 23 minutes per.

Louisville Cardinals guard Kobe Rodgers (11) makes a pass during practice before the first round of the 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament In Lexington, Kentucky Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Kobe Rodgers redshirted last season to recover from a knee injury he suffered during Charleston’s first-round loss to Alabama in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. In his first campaign playing for Kelsey, he averaged 9.7 points on 50% shooting with 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and a 1.4 assist-turnover ratio. Before signing with the Cougars in 2023, the 6-3 guard from Cincinnati was part of a Nova Southeastern team that went 36-0 and won the DII national championship.

Louisville Cardinals forward Khani Rooths (9) goes for a shot against UTEP Miners forward Elijah Jones (33) during their game on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky.

The lone freshman on Louisville’s 2024-25 roster, Khani Rooths, showed flashes of potential throughout the season. The 6-8 forward from Washington, D.C., averaged only 3.3 points on 39.3% shooting and three rebounds across 13.4 minutes per game but threw down some of the most electrifying dunks of the campaign.

April 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Three members of the Paul W. Bryant High basketball team signed their letters to play college basketball Tuesday. Adrian Wooley, who signed to play at Kennesaw State, embraces his mother, LaTonya, as she cries tears of joy.

Kennesaw State transfer Adrian Wooley, the reigning Conference USA Freshman of the Year, had one of the most productive 2024-25 campaigns of any DI newcomer across the country. The 6-5 guard from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, finished the regular season ranked fifth among first-year players in scoring (18.5), sixth in field-goal percentage (51.3%) and 13th in assists (3.5) — with 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game to boot.

Evangelos “Vangelis” Zougris, 20, has spent the past four seasons playing for Peristeri B.C. in the Greek Basketball League. The 6-8 forward averaged 7.9 points on 68.5% shooting with 4.6 rebounds across 23 appearances during the 2024-25 campaign. He has also earned playing time on Greece’s senior national team, logging five games in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers.

Reach Louisville men’s basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.

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College Basketball Rankings: Coaches Poll Top 25 updated after Week 8

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The USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll Top 25 has been refreshed following the eighth week of the season. It was a bit of a light week due to Christmas, but some showdowns still took place amid the holiday celebrations, resulting in some movement throughout the Top 25.

With conference play picking up this coming weekend, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of the season, where the rankings will fluctuate week-in and week-out. While this past week was packed with tune-up games and not a ton of riveting action, that won’t be the case from now until April.

Regardless, the Coaches Poll Top 25 is certain to see plenty of movement. For now, here’s how things stack up after Week 8. This week’s updated rankings are below.

Michigan enjoyed a full week off and enters the week undefeated at 11–0. The Wolverines return to action with home games against McNeese State on Monday and USC on Friday.

Senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg has been the engine, stuffing the stat sheet with 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Michigan will look to stay perfect as conference play looms.

Arizona
Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Arizona rolled past Bethune 107–71 last Monday to improve to 12–0 on the season. The Wildcats host South Dakota State before traveling to Utah for a road test on Saturday.

Freshman guard Brayden Burries has emerged as a steady scorer, averaging 14.0 points per game. Arizona’s depth and tempo continue to overwhelm opponents early in the season.

Iowa State remained perfect at 12–0 after an off week. The Cyclones host Houston Christian on Monday and West Virginia on Friday.

Junior forward Milan Momcilovic leads the team at 18.3 points per game. Iowa State’s balance continues to separate it from most of the field.

UConn had the week off and remains one of the nation’s most complete teams at 12–1. The Huskies head to Xavier on Wednesday before hosting Marquette on Sunday.

Junior guard Solo Ball leads the backcourt with 15.4 points per game. This week offers a strong measuring stick against Big East competition.

Purdue
Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Purdue stayed idle last week but remains firmly entrenched near the top of the Coaches Poll with an 11–1 record. The Boilermakers face a tricky week with a home matchup against Kent State on Monday before heading to Wisconsin on Saturday.

Senior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn continues to anchor the frontcourt, averaging a double-double at 13.9 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Purdue’s ability to maintain consistency through a two-game week will be closely watched.

Duke remained idle last week and sits at 11–1 entering a two-game stretch. The Blue Devils host Georgia Tech on Wednesday before traveling to Florida State on Saturday.

Freshman phenom Cameron Boozer has been dominant, averaging 23.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Duke will be tested defensively as ACC play intensifies.

Gonzaga extended its winning streak with a victory over Pepperdine on Sunday and sits at 13–1. The Bulldogs play three times this week, traveling to San Diego before hosting Seattle U and LMU.

Junior forward Braden Huff leads the way with 19.1 points per game. Gonzaga’s depth will be tested during the busy stretch.

Houston
John Jones-Imagn Images

Houston enters the week at 11–1 after a quiet stretch. The Cougars host Middle Tennessee State on Monday before heading to Cincinnati on Saturday.

Senior guard Emanuel Sharp continues to pace the offense with 17.9 points per game. Houston’s defensive pressure remains its calling card heading into conference play.

Michigan State enjoyed a week off and sits at 11–1 on the season. The Spartans host Cornell on Monday before traveling to Nebraska on Friday.

Senior forward Jaxon Kohler has been a force inside, averaging 13.9 points and 10.3 rebounds. Michigan State will look to sharpen its execution away from home.

BYU cruised past Eastern Washington 109–81 last Monday to improve to 12–1. The Cougars face a lone test this week with a road trip to Kansas State on Saturday.

Freshman star AJ Dybantsa has lived up to the hype, averaging 23.1 points per game. BYU’s offense remains one of the most explosive in the country.

11. Vanderbilt
12. North Carolina
13-T. Nebraska
13-T.
Louisville (+1)
15. Alabama
16. Texas Tech
17. Kansas
18. Arkansas
19. Illinois
20. Tennessee
21. Virginia
22. Florida
23. Iowa
24. Georgia
25. St. John’s

Dropped Out: No. 25 USC

Others Receiving Votes: Kentucky 35; USC 25; Utah State 14; Auburn 7; Saint Louis 6; Clemson 6; Seton Hall 5; Oklahoma State 5; Yale 4; UCLA 4; Saint Mary’s 4; LSU 3; California 2; Villanova 1; Miami (OH) 1; Indiana 1



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Petrino’s Friend Found a Workaround to Pay Taylen Green That’s Now Prohibited by NCAA

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Petrino’s Friend Found a Workaround to Pay Taylen Green That’s Now Prohibited by NCAA
photo credit: Craven Whitlow

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When Bobby Petrino returned to Arkansas after the 2023 season, his first task was finding a new quarterback.

In this era of college football, that also meant funding a new quarterback. For that, the former head coach leaned on his old friend Frank Fletcher.

The Little Rock-based businessman stepped up and footed a large chunk of the bill for Taylen Green, the talented signal caller Petrino identified to run his offense for the Razorbacks.

It hasn’t only been a transactional relationship, though. Over the last two years, Fletcher has been mindful of Green’s life after sports. Rather than simply handing the star quarterback a boatload of cash, he offered something few college athletes receive: personal relationship and mentorship.

“I had a wonderful two years with Taylen Green,” Fletcher said during Monday’s edition of Morning Mayhem on 103.7 The Buzz. “I was lucky that I happened to back a player that was that nice a kid and [had] great parents. I’ve learned a lot from him. I’m teaching him everything I know, and he wants to learn.”

Fletcher helped Green navigate the financial market by giving the QB1 homework, making him chart a series of stocks over a few months – something that could prove even more important after his subpar finish to the 2025 season likely impacted his pro prospects.