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Louisville basketball: Ranking the incoming players impact in 2019-20

By Presley Meyer

DES MOINES, IA - MARCH 21: The Louisville mascot takes the court as the Louisville Cardinals take on the Minnesota Gophers in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IA - MARCH 21: The Louisville mascot takes the court as the Louisville Cardinals take on the Minnesota Gophers in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Wells Fargo Arena on March 21, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /
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SPOKANE, WA – MARCH 20: Lamarr Kimble #0 of the Saint Joseph’s Hawks drives against Dillon Brooks #24 and Tyler Dorsey #5 of the Oregon Ducks in the second half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena on March 20, 2016 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
SPOKANE, WA – MARCH 20: Lamarr Kimble #0 of the Saint Joseph’s Hawks drives against Dillon Brooks #24 and Tyler Dorsey #5 of the Oregon Ducks in the second half during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena on March 20, 2016 in Spokane, Washington. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

2. Fresh Kimble

We’ve known for quite some time that Louisville’s 2019-2020 roster had the potential to be one that made a deep run into the postseason due to the talent returning from Chris Mack’s first year and the incoming freshman that make up the “Super Six.” But one piece was missing – a point guard.

Last season Louisville was fortunate enough to land a talented guard like Christen Cunningham who excelled at getting his team into their offense, making the right play at the right time, providing leadership, and making baskets when it counted. However, Cunningham was limited to a lack of explosiveness and athleticism, and it kept the Cards from taking that next step as a team because of the lack of a secondary scorer, a role that Cunningham eventually stepped into.

That won’t be the case this season.

In year two, Chris Mack went out and got the guy he needed to run his offense and be the final missing piece to the puzzle. Kimble brings scoring, athleticism, shot-making, defense, and the leadership that will be needed to help take the Cards talented roster to the next level.

Where Louisville will benefit most from Kimble’s presence is an area that stats can’t be kept and that’s leadership. As St. Joseph’s only three-year captain in school history, and already having tournament experience under his belt, Kimble’s transition should be seamless and his impact will no doubt be felt right away.

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