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Five possible scenarios for Louisville basketball’s 2019-20 roster

By Jacob Lane

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 12: Jordan Nwora #33 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts after making a three-point baskwet against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on January 12, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Louisville won 83-62. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 12: Jordan Nwora #33 of the Louisville Cardinals reacts after making a three-point baskwet against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on January 12, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Louisville won 83-62. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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steven enoch, louisville basketball
steven enoch, louisville basketball /

Scenario #2 – VJ King and Steven Enoch return, Jordan Nwora stays in the 2019 NBA Draft

Thought V.J. King will graduate in May and could play his final season elsewhere, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a chance he could return.

As the tweet from Zac Jackson said last week, “Louisville G/F VJ King has filed his paperwork to enter the NBA Draft. King, who will graduate this summer, will not hire an agent and will keep all options open.” (emphasis added)

King very well could decide that he wants to embrace the challenge of overcoming his struggles from last year and end his Louisville career on a high note. I believe Chris Mack and the majority** of Cardinal fans would welcome back King with open arms in hopes of him achieving the potential we all know he has.

The senior forward would provide an experienced wing to the bench to play behind fellow McDonald’s All-American, or potentially step into the starting spot left vacant by Jordan Nwora in this scenario.

We need to have an honest conversation about Jordan Nwora. There is a very real chance that he stays in the 2019 NBA Draft. As I wrote last week when he declared, Jordan Nwora has something that every team across the NBA is looking for in this new space and shoot game – and that’s shooting.

Though his defense is a work in progress and his ball handling could use some serious work, teams in the late half of the first round and parts of the early second are teams that typically need a specific role filled. That could be shooting, defense, rebounding, shot blocking, etc. But teams picking 21-30, and typically 31-45 (not always this portion) are teams that are in win now mode, and getting rookies who can play a role at a high level is important.

While I believe Nwora could take his game to another level if he were to return, making money and becoming professional is very alluring. Losing the junior wing would be a big blow, as the Cards would have to replace their top scorer for the second season in a row, but bringing in Williamson, Josh Nickelberry, and maybe another grad transfer could be alluring.

In this scenario, the Cards would also get back big man Steven Enoch. The same sentiment applies here as what I said in the last scenario. Enoch gives Mack a legitimate scoring threat inside, who will only get better with another year of development under Coach Mack and assistant coach Mike Pegues. Not to mention Enoch will have to go head-to-head with four star freshman Aidan Igiehon aka the Irish Hulk each day in practice.

** If you wouldn’t welcome King back, please see yourself out. 

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