Louisville basketball recruiting: Examining the big board for 2020
By Jacob Lane
Lead Guards
Caleb Love
There’s no doubt in my mind that Caleb Love is the top target for the Cards in the class of 2020. The 6’3 lead guard out of Saint Louis has made a handful of trips to Louisville to visit campus, while the staff has seen play nearly every time he’s stepped on the floor this summer. He’s dynamic, athletic, and an elite playmaker with one-and-done potential, which is the reason why nearly every program in the country is after him.
He recently said he’d be cutting his list of schools in the coming weeks after a strong showing on the AAU Circuit, and Louisville is very much in the running to make that list. The Cards have been after him for quite some time, and it won’t be surprising to see them make it all the way to the decision.
Deivon Smith
While Devion Smith doesn’t fit the traditional mold that Mack likes in his guards, there’s a reason why he’s been a top target for the staff this summer. After being one of the top players on the Adidas Circuit, Smith has seen his recruitment blow up with Louisville right in the thick of things. After a strong summer, he has become the second target at the point guard position in my mind.
Smith told Jody Demling of Cardinal Authority:
"“They are coming pretty hard. I talk to coach Pegues almost every day and coach Mack a lot. They are talking to me a lot and they really want me to be a part of the program.”"
At 5’11 he’s a bit small for the point guard position, but his athleticism and playmaking ability make up for it. He’s a pass-first point guard, who excels in the pick and roll as a decision-maker. He scores the ball as needed, but has the unique trait of making everyone else on the floor better every time he plays.
Devin Askew**
Though Devin Askew is currently still a member of the 2021 class, reports indicate that he will consider moving up to 2020. Regardless of what class he stays in, he’s a top target of Chris Mack.
Even as a rising junior Askew has been one of the most impressive point guards this summer, displaying an elite combination of athleticism, speed, shotmaking, and high basketball IQ. He’s big at 6’3, and does just about everything Mack looks for at the lead guard role.
Until we know for sure whether Askew is a 2020 recruit or 2021 it’s hard to put him in a firm spot on the board, which is why I have him third – especially considering Mack is likely only going to take one “true” point guard in this class.
He has offers from a plethora of Power Five offers and that list is likely to grow once his decision is final about reclassifying. Askew is the first confirmed official visitor for Louisville Live, and he’s just as excited as we are, so that should indicate there is real interest between the two.
Other players on the board:
Who does Louisville land?
As of now I just don’t see Caleb Love landing in Louisville with serious interest coming from the likes of UNC, UK, and Duke, with more offers to come. The Cards have been there for a while, which will help all the way to the end, but it’s hard to turn down the allure of programs like Duke and UNC.
To me, I just have this feeling that it’s going to be Devin Askew. Again, there has to be a final decision made on reclassifying, but if he does wind up in the class of 2020 and comes to Louisville Live, I can’t see him not committing to Louisville.
His playmaking and scoring make him a nice fit for anybody, but it’s his basketball IQ and mental toughness that makes him the ideal point guard for Chris Mack.