Louisville basketball: Chris Mack eyeing four-star big man for 2020 class

Chris Mack has worked hard to identify new big men targets for the future of Louisville basketball. Could their latest offer be the next star center?

Unfortunately for Chris Mack and the Louisville basketball program, they struck out in 2019 when it came to finding the next big man for the future. After looking like he may have a chance at landing 7’0 Hunter Dickinson (who ultimately committed to Michigan), Gethro Muscadin of Louisville, amongst others, Mack ultimately used his available scholarships to sign two wings and a combo forward, while leaving the other two open for use at a later time.

We all know that Steven Enoch will exhaust his eligibility at the conclusion of the Cardinals season leaving just Malik Williams and rising sophomore Aidan Igiehon on the roster for 2020.

This becomes problematic for Louisville because, after a year where the Cardinals have thrived with dominant bigs and wings, they (likely) lose Jordan Nwora, Dwayne Sutton, and Enoch and their only returnee with any real experience will be Williams.

Surveying the 2020 recruiting landscape, Muscadin and Dickinson were among a shortlist of instant-impact bigs, meaning that Louisville is going to have to turn to other options if they want to remain big upfront.

That’s why the Cards may be turning to options in the class of 2021, and potential reclassifications.

We know that Mack and the staff are after guards Khristian Lander and Zion Harmon- both of whom are eyeing reclassifications- but now, Louisville has extended an offer to big man Charles Bediako.

The 6’11,” 215-pound Canadian-born power forward is one of the more rapidly rising players in the class of 2021, and a look at his tape makes it easy to see why coaches are on him to reclassify.

Bediako has major improvements in his overall motor skills and in an attempt to have a more well-rounded game has become adept with ball-handling and outside shooting.

Over the last year, almost all of the blue blood programs have visited and/ or offered. Those after him hardest appear to be Duke, Ohio State, Illinois, and Alabama.

Now, Bediako has an official offer from Louisville, where he has the potential to have an instant impact for the Cards.

As for the reclassification, that seems like a legitimate option for Bediako. He spoke at length with The Devil’s Den back in December and mentioned on multiple occasions that both classes are still an option.

Regardless of his decision, Louisville would be a solid fit for Bediako. He is a raw player that would get to wait in the wings behind a similar big in Malik Williams if he were to reclassify, and he would have the benefit of seeing some playing time early on but having the cushion of learning and developing instead of being relied upon right away.

The Cardinals are in need of one more big for next season, and Bediako could ultimately be the solution.