Louisville Basketball Recruiting: 2018 Kentucky Forward Mickey Pearson Reopens Recruitment

A local 2018 product just re-opened his recruitment. Could Mickey Pearson be a late addition for Louisville?

Another 2018 recruit has re-opened his recruitment, and it could be to the benefit of Louisville basketball.

2018 John Hardin forward Mickey Pearson, who was called a program-changer by his head coach, withdrew his commitment to Saint Louis on Tuesday night.

Pearson is a phenomenal talent in regards to what typically comes out of the 5th region in Kentucky. He is 6’8,” and 180 pounds, and easily surpassed the 2,000 point, 1,000 rebound plateau during his senior year. In his final year for the program from Elizabethtown, he averaged over 27 points and 11 rebounds per game.

Pearson could definitely add some muscle to his frame, but he brings size and skill that any team could certainly utilize. He is an unranked player with offers from schools like Ball State, Eastern Kentucky, and Western Kentucky. He opted to commit to Kentucky native Travis Ford at Saint Louis.

Pearson did not give reason for his late, unexpected departure from the Billikans, but instead posted on Twitter that he asked for a release from his National Letter of Intent.

Pearson would be a natural fit with in-state schools like Eastern Kentucky and Western Kentucky, especially with the quick turn-around. But, what if he could find a spot on the 2018 Louisville squad?

There are no indications that Pearson has been in contact with Louisville yet, but this decommitment will certainly come across coach Chris Mack’s radar. Louisville is still in search for more bodies and, in particular, another forward or big man to help give the 2018-19 squad some depth.

Chris Mack and staff have made it clear that they only want to take someone who can contribute going forward, so Pearson would have to be a perfect fit for the Cards. They don’t just want to fill spots on the team just because they are available.

However, with Pearson, I believe that he might be worth taking the risk. Pearson reminds me of a Dwayne Sutton type of player. Although he morphs the smaller guys in the Kentucky 5th region, he would be an average sized 3/4 combo forward at the college level. He lacks a lot of back-to-the-basket skills but, like Sutton, he makes up for this with a solid rebounding prowess, and ability to make the (cliche) hustle plays you don’t see on paper.

Pearson brings the attitude and toughness that Chris Mack and staff are looking to add to the team. We have mentioned before that Mack’s staples are great hustle and toughness. However, Mack is looking for these qualities in 3, 4, and 5-star talents. He doesn’t want to fill a roster spot for the next four years with a player who will ultimately get less playing time as his career goes on.

Could Pearson be a guy that can contribute right away, and ultimately have a successful career at the highest level of college basketball?

Pearson is likely undervalued coming out of high school because of lack of publicity, and lack of experience against better competition. It’s hard to ignore, however, what you see on tape. Pearson has length, decent athleticism, and a solid outside stroke. He showcases the ability to create second-chance opportunities, and crashes the boards a ton, which is unusual of a player with such acclaim in a region where he is clearly the best player.

Next: Anthony Higgs Receives Offer from Louisville

Mack and staff may ultimately choose to look elsewhere to fill some remaining roster spots, but Mickey Pearson could wind of being a diamond in the rough. If he were to get a shot on the roster, Pearson could be Louisville fans’s next favorite player.