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Three Reasons Akoy Agau is Big Addition for Louisville Basketball

By Presley Meyer

LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 23: Cameron McGriff #12 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys pulls down a rebound between Akoy Agau #22 (l) and Rodney Pryor #23 of the Georgetown Hoyas during the second half of the Maui Invitational NCAA college basketball game at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 23, 2016 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images). Oklahoma State won the game 97-70.
LAHAINA, HI - NOVEMBER 23: Cameron McGriff #12 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys pulls down a rebound between Akoy Agau #22 (l) and Rodney Pryor #23 of the Georgetown Hoyas during the second half of the Maui Invitational NCAA college basketball game at the Lahaina Civic Center on November 23, 2016 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Darryl Oumi/Getty Images). Oklahoma State won the game 97-70. /
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"Today the Louisville basketball program officially announced that Akoy Agau, who spent his first two seasons as a Louisville Cardinal, will return to UofL for a graduate transfer season."

We’ve become accustomed to a new sort of culture here in the last few months when it comes to players commmitting to the Louisville baskertball program.

There isn’t really a “speculation” period of when a player might commit, or really any type of warning. The commitments really just kind of come out of nowhere.

Except, the new “bat call.” What I’m referring to is when Coach Chris Mack jumps on Twitter (@CoachChrisMack), and tweets out eye emoji, eye emoji, Uh Oh. L’s UP! emoji.

Check it out for yourself.

https://twitter.com/CoachChrisMack/status/1010213992894222336

Today the commitment, came from former Louisville forward Akoy Agau, after about a month of speculation.

Agau has had a strange college basketball journey to say the least. He began as a Sudanese refugee, went to high school in Omaha, Nebraska, before accepting a scholarship offer from Rick Pitino to play for Louisville basketball back in 2013. Even though he was a four star center coming out of high school, Agau was seen as a project for the Cards, and only played roughly 5 minutes per game in 19 appearances in 2013-14. He stood to gain more minutes when the Montrezl Harrell departed for the NBA, but never got the opportunity as he suffered a season-ending injury and had a medical redshirt applied.

After his redshirt season, Agau decided to transfer to Georgetown, another high profile school. Agau sat out a year due to a sports hernia injury before seeing 15 minutes per game, and getting 8 starts in the 2016-17 season. Agau provided nice depth for the Hoyas, averaging 4.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1 assist. He shot an efficient 50% from the field on the season.

But after just one season at Georgetown, Agau graduated and was allowed to head to Southern Methodist (SMU) as a graduate transfer. Additionally, in the fall of 2017, he applied for and was granted a second grad transfer year because he proved that he missed two full seasons of eligibility due to injury. Agau took advantage of his fifth year, improving his stats in most areas, as the Mustangs dealt with a bevy of injuries throughout the season. He bumped his scoring up to 5 ppg, and continued solid all-around shooting last season.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 28: Andrew Chrabascz #45 of the Butler Bulldogs shoots the ball as Akoy Agau #22 of the Georgetown Hoyas defends from behind at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 28, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 28: Andrew Chrabascz #45 of the Butler Bulldogs shoots the ball as Akoy Agau #22 of the Georgetown Hoyas defends from behind at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 28, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Now, Agau has chosen to play his sixth and final year with the Cards, and he could bring a lot of positives to the table.

Lets look at 3 reasons why Akoy Agau is a big addition for the Cards.

Agau is Comfortable at Louisville

Firstly, Agau is coming to a place where he is comfortable. He initially committed to the Cards because Louisville was a place he wanted to be. His reasons for leaving were not due to an uncomfortable situation, but instead because he wanted to be at a place where he could get more playing time.

Agau coming to Louisville is different than most graduate transfers, who have a bit of an adjustment period. Of course, Agau hasn’t been in The Ville for nearly four years, but he is coming back to familiar territory, in a place he knows he likes.

Brings Adequate Size and Depth

If there is one thing the 2018-19 Cards team needs, it is size on the inside. With the departure of Lance Thomas, Louisville was left with only Malik Williams and Steven Enoch on the interior. Although Chris Mack is comfortable with playing small, Agau is 6’9″ and 230 pounds, and adds a third player that can play the four or five position. This is crucial to add depth for a rotation that is limited in flexibility.

Agau Brings Experience

It is a rarity that any player is ever granted a sixth year of eligibility. Although Agau basically didn’t play for two full years, he has been around the block a time or two (or five). Agau has played for 3 different programs and 3 different coaches, and seems to be improving from year to year. Even if Agau doesn’t bring much to the team on the floor, he will be a great addition as a leader off of the court.

Now that Agau is officially a member of the Cards after quite a bit of speculation, the current roster stands at ten scholarship players. Expect Chris Mack and staff to try their hardest to land one more guy in the coming weeks.

Next: Ray Spalding Drafted by the Dallas Mavericks

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