Louisville basketball: Charles Minlend set to make debut soon

Graduate transfer Charles Minlend has yet to make his debut with Louisville basketball. But it’s coming soon.

Louisville basketball fans have been anticipating the debut of the talented San Francisco graduate transfer Charles Minlend ever since he announced his intentions to finish his career in Louisville on April 12.

Since then, Minlend has not been able to reach the floor in game action for the Cardinals after suffering a knee injury in the preseason that held about a six week timeframe for his return. Chris Mack gave an update on Minlend when he talked to the media today.

When he is able to return, Minlend will offer a versatile offensive piece at either the shooting guard or small forward positions. He thrives as a slasher and could be a veteran spark plug for the team when he inserts himself in to the lineup in the next couple of weeks.

The Cardinals have been playing some sloppy basketball as of recent with just one upperclassman playing minutes so far this season (Carlik Jones). Minlend isn’t a player you expect to shoot the lights out of the gym each and every night. But he will be a valued presence on both ends of the floor when he returns.

He could very well relieve players like Dre Davis and Samuell Williamson of playing huge minutes. It is fair to at least guess their impact may have been at least somewhat mitigated because of their huge amounts of minutes they log each game. His return will be another piece added to the complete puzzle that was hurting very badly across the board just a month ago.

The only player with no set timetable for return is senior forward Malik Williams. He should be back to the court in the next couple of months but exactly when is not known. The current timetable would cut things close for his return before the regular season is over.

Minlend is going to be an impact player on the team and will provide athletic plays and be a spark for a young Louisville squad that – frankly – needs a fire lit under them. Playing with urgency has been a concern early on for them. Minlend could easily fix that issue.