2. Reach - Jaxon Richardson
With Stokes generating a lot of noise with Kansas, Kentucky, and others, it would not be shocking if Louisville pushes even harder for 5-star Jaxon Richardson. The 5-star small forward is ranked as the No. 4 small forward in the 2026 cycle and No. 11 in the nation.
Richardson is the son of former NBA star Jason Richardson and brother of current NBA player Jase Richardson. The 5-star recruit averaged 3.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 63.4 percent from the field last season, making him one of the best two-way players in the class.
The Cardinals are now up against Alabama, Villanova, Miami, Ole Miss, USC, Seton Hall, Cincinnati, Creighton, and Michigan. Louisville will host the 6-foot-6, 200-pound forward on November 8 and had him visit in February for the game against Florida State. The Cardinals have an uphill battle for Richardson's commitment, but that visit next month is a massive opportunity.
Related: 3 game-changing 5-star targets who could join Jaxon Richardson on a Louisville visit