Vangelis Zougris
With Kelsey entering a crucial third year, he would like to keep some pieces from last year's team, and one Cardinal Kelsey should want to bring back is their center, Vangelis Zougris. While the 6-foot-8, 240-pound center wasn’t someone who went out and gave the Cardinals a double-double, he was a huge spark for Kelsey and clearly gave Louisville a presence in the paint they desperately needed.
2 Dream, 2 reach, 2 realistic targets for Louisville after Khani Rooths enters portal
Zougris has the experience and potential to be a key piece for Louisville, averaging 14.4 points and 11.1 rebounds in seven games at the 2023 FIBA U20 European Championship, and 11.6 points and 8.3 rebounds at the 2024 FIBA U20 EuroBasket. He has the interior presence the Cardinals will need, and with Rooths and Fru both gone, it will be crucial for Kelsey to at least keep Zougris for a key bench piece.
He got experience last year in Kelsey’s system and even became a starter in the final six games. He averaged 2.4 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 54.5 percent from the floor, and now, with the Cardinals rebuilding, he emerges as one of the Cardinals' top players they must bring back for next season.