Louisville Basketball: Cards hosting big time 2019 prospects on official visits this weekend

Chris Mack and the Louisville basketball program are hosting two elite visitors this weekend who could soon become part of the 2019 class.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – Chris Mack and the Louisville basketball staff are absolutely destroying the recruiting trail right now. With two commitments secured, and those two commits out preaching the Cardinal gospel, things are really starting to look up for the Cards in 2019.

Now with Josh Nickelberry, a four star combo guard, and Jaelyn Withers, a four star combo forward, in the fold – Chris Mack has turned his full attention to a handful of other elite prospects. This weekend two of those prospects will make official visits to Louisville.

Even if you don’t follow recruiting news religiously, you probably know the name Jahmius Ramsey. The four star guard, who is currently ranked as 33rd best player in the country and sixth best guard by 247 Sports, has been a priority for Chris Mack and his staff all summer.

After a strong showing on the AAU circuit, Mack has visited in home with Ramsey while also hosting him on an unofficial visit. The Oak Hill Academy guard is currently down to 10 schools, which includes the likes of Louisville, Texas Tech, Miami, NC State, and Virginia Tech, but doesn’t plan on making his commitment known until the spring. However, we saw this past weekend with Jaelyn Withers that official visits can change things in a heartbeat.

At 6’4, 180 pounds, Ramsey is a strong and physical guard who can play both the one and the two in a Chris Mack system. He has the ability to knock down shots from just about anywhere on the floor, including behind the perimeter and off the dribble. But what really stands out about his game is his ability to attack downhill off the dribble.

He’s an underrated passer, who has shown he has the skill and wherewithal to get his teammates involved in big moments. Ramsey can also defend with the best of him. His length and physicality allow him to get after it and guard positions one through three.

Right now it seems that it’s likely going to come down to Louisville and Texas Tech for Ramsey, a battle that I think Louisville is in good position to win. Jake Weingarten of Stockrisers joined Louisville Sports Live to talk Louisville recruiting and was asked who may commit next. Weingarten said, “Right now it’s kind of tough, I’m stuck between Jahmius Ramsey and Aidan (Igiehon)… There’s going to be another commitment or two in the next month.” Currently the crystal ball predictions from 247 Sports lean the way of Texas Tech, but it may be possible that Ramsey indeed prefers the Cards.

The visitor list doesn’t end with Ramsey. Joining the four star guard will be his AAU teammate, Samuell Williamson, a four star forward out of Rockwall, Texas. Williamson is a consensus top 50 player in the country.

“There’s going to be another commitment or two in the next month”

Williamson will take an official visit as well, which once again signals serious interest between the program and the recruit. He’s already visited Kansas, who currently has a stronghold on the crystal ball, and will also visit Oklahoma and Texas Tech over the next two months.

The four star wing is another player who Chris Mack and his staff have been on all summer during his time playing for The Drive on the Nike EYBL circuit. The 6’6, 180 pound wing is a super long wing who has great ball handling skills as well as a nasty pull-up jumper. Williamson, like Ramsey, can stretch defenses with this shooting from deep as well as take defenders off the bounce.

Poaching Williamson out of the Midwest will be a tall task for Chris Mack, but if Ramsey were to commit, it becomes even more realistic that the Rockwall, Texas product could as well. Mack will need a wing in the class of 2019 to be the eventual replacement for Jordan Nwora and Dwayne Sutton down the road.

This will be one of many big recruiting weekends over the coming month or so for Chris Mack. We could very well be seeing one or two players that will wear the black and red for the Cardinals over the next few seasons.