2. Khani Rooths
Khani Rooths didn't produce spectacular numbers last season, but the former 4-star recruit out of Washington, D.C., has tremendous potential, and Kelsey has to keep him for what is still coming. Rooths attended IMG Academy, where he was a top-40 prospect in the nation, the No. 6 power forward, and the No. 8 player from Florida in his class.
Last season, he averaged 3.3 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting nearly 40 percent from the floor. He showed flashes of his potential as he always gave 100 percent on the floor and was the spark plug off the bench for this Kelsey team. Rooths became a fan favorite and a player, and fans took to social media to praise him for his effort. The skill is there. He is just 19 years old and has to develop a little, but the heart is hard to teach, and he has that as well.
Kelsey would often praise the freshman last season for his hard work on and off the court. He would express the pure passion Rooths plays with, and the Cardinals fans trust that Kelsey will develop this former 4-star recruit into an elite playmaker in college basketball.
A key area Louisville has to improve in this off-season is its depth. So, while Rooths won't start next year, he would be a crucial bench piece that would get valuable bench minutes. Kelsey has to keep Rooths on this team for his glaring potential and elevate the bench to an elite level.