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Louisville basketball: Class of 2021 recruiting big board 1.0

By Presley Meyer

LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 05: David Johnson #13, Samuell Williamson #10, Quinn Slazinski #11 and Aidan Igiehon #22 of the Louisville Cardinals react from the bench during a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at KFC YUM! Center on February 5, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville defeated Wake Forest 86-76. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 05: David Johnson #13, Samuell Williamson #10, Quinn Slazinski #11 and Aidan Igiehon #22 of the Louisville Cardinals react from the bench during a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at KFC YUM! Center on February 5, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville defeated Wake Forest 86-76. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 05: Josh Nickelberry #20 of the Louisville Cardinals warms up prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Watsco Center on November 05, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 05: Josh Nickelberry #20 of the Louisville Cardinals warms up prior to the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Watsco Center on November 05, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Shooting guards and combo guards

At the end of the 2020-21 season, Louisville is guaranteed to lose Carlik Jones and Charles Minlend. Plus, there may be a chance that David Johnson departs.

Josh Nickelberry and D’Andre Davis will be ready to step in, but the Cards are still in need of some scoring and versatility from the guard positions. Here are some of Louisville’s top options.

Matthew Cleveland

Alpharetta, Georgia

At 6’6,” 190, Matthew Cleveland is another big-time name that the Cards are after. Once again, it seems like Louisville is going to be in a heated battle for a recruit with Florida State.

Rated at a consensus top 30 prospect, Cleveland would be more than able to fill any voids left by departures after this season. He is a pure scorer. There’s no frills to Cleveland’s game. He gets to the bucket at will and is a gifted playmaker with an improving shot.

"“Good length for a wing scorer,” says Jerry Meyer of 247Sports. “An explosive athlete with top notch body control. Slasher who specializes in making tough shots. Can keep defense honest with long range shooting but needs to improve in that area. Handles well especially in half court. Not necessarily a playmaker for others. Great potential as a versatile defender. Top notch rebounder for his position."

Once Cleveland gets into a college weight training program, he will be a serious problem. He could very well slide over to a wing spot as well if the Cards bring in two bigger guards in this class.

As was mentioned earlier, Cleveland is probably going to come down to the wire with Florida State and the Cards on his shortlist.

Malaki Branham

Akron, Ohio

If there’s a guard in this class that feels like a Chris Mack guy, maybe its 6’4,” 175-pound combo guard Malaki Branham.

This is a player with a lot of size and slashing capabilities, able to dictate the way the game is played and beat you in a number of different ways.

We know Mack loves guards who can play all over the court, cut to the basket, come off ball screens and make quick decisions, and crash the boards. Branham brings all of that to the table and that’s why he has the Cards hard after him on the recruiting trail.

Here’s 247Sports’ Jerry Meyer with his quick breakdown of Branham’s game:

"Good size for a shooting guard with secondary ball handler capabilities. Solid athlete. Specialty is getting to the rim with his slashing style. Improving outside shooter who can keep the defense honest. Quality ball handler and who can pass on the move. Versatile defender who rebounds at a high level."

Branham hails from St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron and he has Ohio State visiting often. However, Louisville feels like a great fit for him, and he seems like a guy who would be a ton of fun to watch if David Johnson is still in the fold in two years.

Trevor Keels

Fairfax, Virginia

Don’t sleep on 6’5,” 210-pound Trevor Keels, who is a name to look out for as dominos start to fall in this class. Right now, Virginia has been after him extremely hard with Duke behind him as well.

Look for Louisville to be hardest after Branham and Cleveland, but you never know what can happen in recruiting. The Cards have done a good job positioning themselves with Keels, and if he opts to go away from home and a school like Duke has already filled a roster spot, perhaps Louisville is still in it.

Recruiting is weird, things change quickly, and Louisville is still pursuing him hard, which is why you shouldn’t discount Keels quite yet.

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