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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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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 14: V.J. King #13 of the Louisville Cardinals battles for possession against Cameron Johnson #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men’s ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 14: V.J. King #13 of the Louisville Cardinals battles for possession against Cameron Johnson #13 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men’s ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Scenario #3 – VJ King and Jordan Nwora return, Steven Enoch stays in the 2019 NBA Draft

Much like Jordan Nwora, Cardinal fans have to prepare themselves for the fact that Steven Enoch very well could keep his name in the 2019 NBA Draft. After playing sparingly in two seasons at UConn, in his first year as a Card Enoch showed an ability to score in the post, shoot the ball consistently from deep, and rebound against some of the best bigs in the ACC. While he struggled with consistency on both the offensive and defensive end, the 6’10, 260 pound center showed enough that could lead a NBA GM or a team from Overseas to give him a chance at playing professionally.

Like V.J. King, Enoch will graduate from Louisville in May and could decide that at 22 years old he’s ready to take his professional ready body and get paid to continue to develop as a basketball player. Yes he’s still raw and could really benefit from a second season in the Ville, sometimes players decide there’s no real reason to return to college when money comes into the equation.

Enoch has experience playing international ball, spending time playing for the Armenian national team which could lead to some lucrative offers potentially.

The odds are in favor of Enoch returning but if he didn’t, Malik Williams could be required to give next season’s Louisville team more than he did as a sophomore. Though he improved near the basket and stopped hovering around only the three point line, Williams showed he still needs work to become a true big man.

There would also be a bigger emphasis on Aidan Igiehon contributing right away as a true freshman, which I really believe he is capable of doing. It’s also likely that Chris Mack would pursue a graduate transfer big man to provide relief similar to what Akoy Agau did this past season.

Losing Enoch would hurt, but returning King and Nwora would be a huge win in this scenario.

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