Louisville basketball: Three potential transfer targets for Cards

Forward

Blake Hinson

Status: Sit one, play two

2019 stats:10.1 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.4 apg

After spending two seasons as a starter in Oxford, combo forward Blake Hinson announced his intent to transfer from Ole Miss instantly becoming one of the top players available in the portal this offseason.

Hinson took no time developing into a starter for new coach Kermit Davis, starting every game as a true freshman and 27 as a sophomore, averaging double-digit points and nearly five rebounds per game as a sophomore.

If we’re talking fit and current players on the transfer market, there’s not a better one out there for Chris Mack to potentially target than  Hinson. The 6’7 combo forward has everything Mack looks for at that position highlighted by size, athleticism, and the ability to do multiple things on both sides of the floor.

Hinson has spent each of the last two seasons playing at both the small forward and power forward positions for Ole Miss and has done so at a very high level. Hinson has shown the ability to score the ball on all three levels, although not always doing so efficiently. However, he’s long and fairly quick, proving to be capable of using that to attack downhill and get into the lane. From there, he has a nice variety of pull-ups and is a strong finisher around the rim.

Hinson plays with a tough-motor, going 100 miles per hour all the time (which can lead to turnovers and goof’d plays) which is absolutely something Coach Mack looks for on every team he coaches. Inconsistency has been what’s plagued the rising junior thus far through his career, and many around the Ole Miss program believe due to that and multiple incoming players at his position it could lead to him moving into a lesser role.

At Louisville, he would bring toughness, positional versatility, and provide a much needed experienced player with more than one year of eligibility to a group in 2021-22 that could feature as many as seven underclassmen.