Louisville basketball: An ode to VJ King, Cardinal forever

Would-be Louisville basketball Senior VJ King will forgo his final season to pursue a professional career.

Louisville basketball’s VJ King is officially turning pro.

After much speculation over where he could potentially graduate transfer to, King announced Tuesday via posts on Twitter and Instagram that he will not be returning to college at all and will pursue a career in the NBA or elsewhere.

"I’d like to announce that I will be forgoing my senior year and taking the next step in pursuing my career as a professional basketball player. To the University of Louisville… Through it all, thank you for everything. I will always be a cardinal!"

King came to Louisville as one of the most anticipated recruits of the Rick Pitino era. However, after having to wait behind some productive players during his first couple of years, and being forced to adjust to three head coaching changes in as many years, his production fell well below what most expected of him.

During his time with the Cardinals, King averaged 6.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.7 assists. Though he was seen as the likely No. 1 option in year one of the Chris Mack era, King went from starter to last player off the bench by the season’s end.

In an era where social media is king, this King was often unfairly criticized, and it was apparent that much of the noise got through to him. He went from a player who was a really solid option off the bench during his Freshman year to an afterthought during his Junior season.

Through it all, King was still a favorite for many fans, and he commanded respect from his peers and coaches. He was selected as a team co-captain by his teammates in the 2018-19 preseason and continued to have a superb attitude through the end of his college career even though he didn’t even see the court during some games.

Now, King will look to give his career a fresh start- something that could be a huge positive for his career

King is a player who has all of the physical tools and could still round into a solid professional player. He has the option of remaining in the NBA draft or trying his hand in some of the overseas leagues.

Regardless of where he ends up, here’s to hoping that King is remembered as a player who chose Louisville during some tough times, and stuck with the Cards through some serious turbulence. Though his play on the court left much to be desired, his attitude, heart, and determination were what made him a Louisville basketball fan favorite.