An early look at the 2019-20 Louisville basketball depth chart

With the roster set for the 2019-20 season, we take a look at what the depth chart could wind up looking like for Louisville basketball.

It’s official. Jordan Nwora and Steven Enoch will return in 2019 for Louisville basketball, making them a near consensus top ten team in year two under Chris Mack.

The addition of the Cards’s leading scorer and rebounder and returning veteran center cannot be understated, but they are not the only pieces that Mack and company bring back.

The Cards also add a loaded freshmen class, coined the “Super Six,” and will get a veteran graduate transfer guard in Lamarr “Fresh” Kimble.

Louisville will return the bulk of their scoring, rebounding, and key depth from a team that overachieved in the ACC for much of the year.

Point Guard

Lamarr “Fresh” Kimble GR 6-0/ 190

Darius Perry*

David Johnson Freshman 6-5/ 170

The only thing that the Cards truly lack next season is a true point guard. However, there are a number of players who can absolutely handle the rock and distribute the ball. There is not a Christen Cunningham this year but there is Lamarr “Fresh” Kimble, a Philadelphia-bred graduate transfer who is an absolute dog.

Kimble should lead the way for Louisville. He has been a captain every year in college, and his leadership skills will allow him to mesh perfectly with the combination of experience and depth the Cards bring in. He averaged 3.2 assists during his time at St. Joes but certainly plays with a scoring mentality.

Behind Kimble will be rising Junior Darius Perry and true Freshman David Johnson. While Perry is likely to start at the two, he could also be utilized as a secondary ball-handler. Meanwhile, Johnson, a Louisville Trinity product, seems most likely to serve as Kimble’s prodigy and immediate back-up.

Johnson is not a true point, but he is a 6’5″ guard with length and surprising athleticism. Depending on how quickly he picks up Mack’s system, Johnson could see upwards of ten minutes per game while sparing Kimble.

Shooting Guard

Darius Perry Junior 6-2/ 200

Ryan McMahon RS Senior 6-0/ 180

Josh Nickelberry Freshman 6-4/ 175

Fresh Kimble*

If there was an area that Louisville basketball lacked production in year one under Mack it was at the two guard. Graduate transfer Kwhan Fore wasn’t able to contribute much on the offensive end, and Darius Perry suffered through a Sophomore slump.

However, after a tough regular season, Perry came on in his last few games in similar fashion to his Freshman year. Now, Perry returns as a Junior with blazing speed, solid on-ball defense, and the ability to drive and spot-up shoot.

Behind Perry, there should be an interesting battle for playing time between the sharp-shooting Ryan McMahon and Josh Nickelberry. The Freshman Nickelberry is a deadeye shooter with a knack for getting to the bucket. What may separate the two is how quickly Nickelberry can pick up Mack’s system, and how much he can contribute defensively right away.

Additionally, the Cards could slide Kimble to the shooting guard spot in some situations while Perry or Johnson take over primary ball-handling roles.

Or, Mack could choose to go big. The Cards could slide one of Samuell Williamson, Jordan Nwora, or Dwayne Sutton to the guard spot. Only time will tell where each player will fit the best, but what should excite Cards fans is how many players are multi-positional.

Small Forward

Samuell Williamson Freshman 6-7 / 185

OR

Dwayne Sutton RS Senior 6-5/ 215

Jordan Nwora*

Jaelyn Withers*

The forward spots are where things really get interesting for the Cards. The options are endless because Louisville can play Williamson, Sutton, and Nwora in any number of ways and still have depth behind those core three players.

Most fans know what Nwora and Sutton bring to the table. The Cards return their two starting forwards who were also go-to scorers and two of their best defensive rebounders last season.

Now, they add the superbly talented Williamson into the mix. As a true Freshman, the expectation from most experts is for him to start right away. There are hardly any limitations to Williamson’s game. He is a solid ball-handler, tremendous passer, and can score on every level. Williamson has an excellent mid-range game and is an improving rebounder and outside shooter.

The three spot has a ton of potential in 2019-20, and no matter who plays at that spot, Mack will have a guy who can defend, score, and rebound at a high level.

Power Forward

Jordan Nwora Junior 6-7 /225

Dwayne Sutton*

Malik Williams*

Jaelyn Withers Freshman 6-9 / 215

Mack’s offense typically runs through the four, as it did this past year. Thankfully, the Cards return a wealth of talent and options at power forward.

Louisville has the option of playing Nwora here, but the Cards could go big as well and slide Malik Williams in to play alongside another big.

Don’t forget about Louisville’s incoming Freshman Jaelyn Withers either. Withers is probably a year away from being a serious contributor, but he has all of the intangibles to be an elite pro prospect. A little bit more weight could mean big things for a guy who says he wants to be a two-and-done type of player.

Center

Steven Enoch RS Senior 6-10/ 260

OR

Malik Williams Junior 6-11/ 245

Aidan Igiehon Freshman 6-10/ 240

The return of Steven Enoch is one that will go overlooked now that Nwora is back, but may be the more important decision of the two. Enoch should be the anchor for the Cards who can play back-to-the-basket and be an aggressor on the boards.

Louisville also returns Malik Williams, who is a darkhorse candidate to be a breakout player in 2019-20. Williams averaged 7.7 points and 6.1 rebounds during his Sophomore campaign where, like Enoch, his game was up and down. However, because of depth and competition in practice, Williams may finally be able to play the game as it comes to him naturally. Though he is the tallest and longest player on the team, Williams is not a low post player. He is at his best at the high post or moving away from the basket.

Potentially Louisville basketball’s most anticipated player of the 2019 class is Aidan Igiehon. The incoming Freshman was the Cards’s most coveted recruit and is one of the best players to ever come out of Ireland. If he can adjust to the speed of college basketball as a Freshman, that will free up Williams and Enoch to play their games and do so aggressively.