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4-star SG is Pat Kelsey and Louisville basketball’s dream fix for major need

Louisville fans eye defensive star as perfect transfer portal target.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Transfer Portal opens on April 7, but some big names have already announced they plan to enter. Louisville basketball has yet to hear a player announce he will enter the portal, but the fans are certainly keeping a close eye on the names that have entered.

ChatGPT’s ‘best portal target’ for Louisville would be a dream for Cardinals fans

Pat Kelsey will have some work cut out for him this year, as he will have to replace his top scorers from last season. The Cards will need not only to go get some elite shooters and scorers, but also to show the fans they need a player like Chucky Hepburn, who can be a menace on defense.

One recent player who just entered the Transfer Portal is already a top target for fans, as Miles Byrd, the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, would be a player Louisville would love to add.

Miles Byrd is exactly what Louisville basketball needs

Byrd announced he planned to enter the Transfer Portal a couple of days ago, and he is now immediately among the top players in the portal. Louisville needs to get someone who can be a nightmare on defense, and Byrd is exactly what the Cardinals fans are looking for.

The 6-foot-6, 190-pound guard has the height Louisville fans want, and he has the defensive presence. Last year, he averaged 1.2 blocks and 1.9 steals per game, and the year prior, he averaged 1.1 blocks and 2.1 steals per game.

He has long arms, is very active, and often soars from behind to get a block. He was at the NBA Draft Combine last year, where he recorded 7 steals and 1 block in a game, then decided to return to San Diego State and won Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year. He had three steals or more in 11 games last year, including six steals against Idaho State. He also had at least 2 steals and 2 blocks in 6 games.

He isn’t just a defensive monster, as he averaged 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He isn’t known for shooting 3’s as he made just 44 last year and at 30.8 percent, but his athleticism allows him to be one of the top defenders in college basketball, which is what Louisville desperately needs.

Byrd is now the No. 2 overall player in the Transfer Portal and the No. 1 shooting guard. He won’t be an easy get for Kelsey and Louisville, but hopefully the Cardinals can reach out quickly and get off to a red-hot start like last year and see the dominoes start falling their way.

Byrd should be at the top of their drawing board, and should be a player they must take a swing at.

Related: 3 elite players Louisville basketball must target right now in the Transfer Portal

For all the latest news and updates on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.

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