Louisville basketball: 2021 recruiting big board 3.0

Big man

Efton Reid – Center

6’11, 255-pounds – Bradenton, FL

There is no question about it, Efton Reid has been and will continue to be the top big man target on the board for Louisville and it’s not hard to see why. Though there are players ranked higher than the 6’11, 225-pound big man, you’d be hard pressed to find a big who has more skill and ceiling for growth.

Chris Mack and company have been involved with Reid for quite some time now, and if you’re an avid to average reader of this side you’ve probably seen an article or two detailing his recruitment.

Jerry Meyer of 247 Sports detailed Reid’s game, writing:

"“Has NBA center size. Game is skill based and not athletically based. Has good footwork and touch in post. Can stretch defense to three-point line. Comfortable with the ball as a passer. Has good hands and rebounds his area. Not a big shot blocker. Positional defender inside. Needs to improve quickness to defend on perimeter.”"

The list of contenders for Reid’s services is still long, including prominent teams such as Virginia, Florida State, Michigan, Kansas, Ohio State, and others but Louisville still holds as good of a chance to land the seven footer as anyone else.

Louisville’s had a long list of big men who have been dominant over the course of the career, but the list dwindles significantly when filtering who played well as a freshman. With Malik Williams graduating, Reid would be a near perfect fit in the four-out-one-in offense and would be slotted to receive a ton of minutes right away.

Landing Reid is going to be a major challenge, especially if Duke, Kentucky, UNC, and other blue bloods get involved, but I still like Louisville’s chances. Reid fits perfectly and there’s a ton of playing available, not much else you could ask for.

Roosevelt Wheeler – Center

6’10, 220-pounds – Richmond, VA

Where Reid is considered to be more of a “finesse” player or one whose game relies on skill, Wheeler is a player who’s game is built upon power and athleticism. Like Reid, Wheeler has been a top target for Louisville since 2019 and the coaching staff seems to feel like they are in a good spot to win a major recruitment.

Louisville was able to get Wheeler on campus for a visit back earlier this year and by all accounts the big man seemed to enjoy his stay. “I could definitely see myself playing in an environment like that down the road,” he said following his visit.

Other schools were also fortunate enough to get visits in with Wheeler, including ACC foe NC State, and that should make things interesting down the stretch. Louisville’s biggest need is at center and they’ll most likely want to land their guy sooner rather than later That means that though Reid is ranked higher than Wheeler, whoever wants to commit first will get the spot that’s available.

Wheeler is still just scratching the surface of his potential and though he doesn’t come with the polished post game, his defensive abilities should allow him to see the floor early should he commit. He translates as an elite rim protector thanks to his incredibly long arms as well as a solid defensive rebounder.

Micawbr Etienne

6’10, 220-pounds – Wolfeboro, NH

Even if you’ve kept up with the 2021 recruiting cycle, Micawbr Etienne may not be a name that you’re familiar with. Much like with Reid and Wheeler, Louisville has been in on the 6’10 big man for quite some time but the interest level between the two parties hasn’t yet hit the level of seriousness that the others have at this point.

Louisville has continued to stay in touch with him throughout the spring and summer via zoom calls, as Etienne has noted on several occasions. Etienne at one point was considered to be a reclassification target for both Louisville and the other schools who were involved with him, but with where we are now it looks as if he’ll 100 percent stay in the ’21 class.

The four-star big man is going to be a big time get for a coach thanks to his ability to finish well inside and how well he moves as a big man. Etienne is a near clone to Joakim Noah and plays with a similar style as he outmuscles opponents for rebounds consistently while also being a smart passer.

He’s a unique big who would bring a game to Louisville that mixes somewhere between Steven Enoch and Malik Williams. Right now I’d say the Cards are sitting on the outside looking in although recent quotes from Weber should give everyone a little optimisim. Weber said:

"“I’m considering all of the schools that have offered me,” Etienne said. “I have 29 offers. They come from schools like Georgia, Tennessee, Kansas, Louisville, Texas A&M, Miami (Fla.), Georgetown, UCLA, Arizona State, Providence, Syracuse, Wake Forest … just a ton. I am really blessed to have these opportunities.”"

This is another recruitment that should be interesting to watch over the coming months. It’s unlikely he winds up at Louisville, but you just never know.