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Louisville basketball: Most important players for the 2020-21 season

By Alan Thomas

LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 05: Louisville Cardinals players huddle together prior to the start of 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: Louisville Cardinals players huddle together prior to the start of 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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Louisville basketball guard Josh Nickelberry flexes on big play
Jan 22, 2020; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Josh Nickelberry (20) reacts during the second half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Georgia Tech 68-64. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

G. player. 438. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Sophomore. Josh Nickelberry . 8

The reigning North Carolina high school career scoring champion (over Michael Jordan) didn’t see the floor very much last season, though on a couple occasions, he gave us a glimpse of what he is capable of.

Nickelberry will always hold a special place in the hearts of Louisville fans, as he was the inaugural commit to Mack’s Louisville program. He then did a bit of his own recruiting, partially resulting in “The Super 6”. Now, what does he bring to the table this season?

It goes without saying that Nickelberry is perhaps the most underrated player on this year’s roster. He’s quick, explosive, and he can shoot the lights out if you let him.

Aside from these attributes, he’s a solid ball-handler. There are really only two great ball-handlers on this roster outside of Nickelberry, and I can see Mack playing him at the one and the two throughout the schedule. There isn’t much experience on this team at all, and I think a guy like Nickelberry can really stand out as a young leader.

Expect Josh to earn his game reps by improving his on-the-ball defense In practice while guarding highly skilled guards David Johnson and Carlik Jones.

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