Louisville basketball: Chris Mack targeting another Texas five-star

Louisville basketball has extended a scholarship offer to the number one player in the state of Texas and one of the nation’s top players overall. Can they steal him from Big 12 country?

Recruiting has been a hot topic (and really the only topic) for Louisville basketball over the last few weeks as fans try to get adjusted to not have any live sports taking place.

Chris Mack and the Louisville basketball staff have continued to evaluate and identify talent as they fill their big board for the 2021 class. Things haven’t necessarily been “great” on the recruiting front for the Cards, as the once sky-high optimism turned into a lot questions as top-tiered talent continued to commit just about everywhere but Louisville.

Louisville did put together a solid class of 2020 with the signings of Jay Scrubb, D’Andre Davis, and JJ Traynor, and with the transfer market heating up the Cards aren’t done. As they work to fill their remaining three spots for 2020, they are also keeping the foot to the pedal on the class of ’21.

We’ve identified several of the top targets for Mack as they look fill to fill needs at the guard, wing, and center positions. As things now, players like Aminu Mohammed, Efton Reid, and Trey Kaufman lead the way as the most important recruits for the Cards but players like Harrison Ingram, the latest scholarship recipient, are emerging every day.

Per his Twitter account, Ingram officially received an offer from Chris Mack and the Louisville basketball program, bringing his scholarship count up over 20. Ingram is one of the biggest names available in the class of 2021, as 247 Sports rates him as the 17th best available player in the class and the best player in the state of Texas.

Living in the heart of Big 12 country, Louisville is going to be in a bit of an uphill battle as they try to land the services of one of the nation’s most coveted wings. Harrison talked about his offer from Louisville with Jody Demling, saying:

"“I’ve always loved watching Louisville play and their fast style of play while also having some sets they can run. I’ve just began my relationship with Coach Mack but have been talking to Coach Murray for awhile now. Very down to earth staff and am looking forward to continue to build a relationship with them.”"

Ingram is exactly the type of player Mack is looking to land at the wing position in the class of 2021. At 6’6 he has great size and uses it to create incredibly tough mismatches for smaller players, especially when he plays as the primary ball-handler. At 210 pounds, he also has a college-ready body, which would make him an instant impact candidate.

Describing Ingram’s game, 247 Sports Recruiting Analyst Brian Snow wrote,

"“A unique prospect with what many would describe as an “old man” type of game. Ingram is one of the most intelligent kids in the country both on the court and off of it. He has a 4.0 GPA and has a bright future in every aspect of life. On the court, he is kind of a point forward who uses savvy, skill and intelligence to dominate games. Ingram can play on the ball or off of it, knows how to create space for himself by changing speeds, and is one of the better passers in the class. Also, despite not being a fantastic athlete, Ingram is a very solid rebounder and competes on the defensive end. His elite IQ and skill make him one of the best prospects in the class, and someone who will exceed his physical tools as a player and producer.”"

Mack has always looked for players who are tall, long, athletic and play with great physicality, but he’s also always looked for recruits who have high basketball IQ that are able to come in and adjust to the game of college basketball on the fly.

We saw that last season with David Johnson and Samuell Williamson, and we’d definitely see it again if Ingram were to play for Louisville. Currently, he holds two crystal ball predictions at this time, both of which belong to Stanford, which shows just how smart the junior wing is and what he brings to the floor.

The wing position is one that will be of utmost importance for Mack and his staff to fill in the next class, as they’ll likely have several graduate transfers leaving the program after this season, and could even say goodbye to players like Scrubb and Williamson.

Ingram’s recruitment will be one to watch over the next few months, especially with all of the recruiting restrictions in place. Getting Ingram to come to Louisville for a visit, when it is allowed, will be crucial if they are going to have any chance at landing the five-star wing.