Louisville basketball has emerged as one of the nation's top recruiting programs in the 2026 cycle, as the Cardinals have been in hot pursuit of multiple 5-star prospects. Head coach Pat Kelsey has been traveling nationwide to gain relationships with these elite 5-star superstars, and it is starting to pay off as the Cardinals are receiving excellent updates.
Louisville is emerging as a favorite for multiple 5-star recruits at the moment. The Cardinals are the favorite to land the nation's No. 1 overall recruit in the 2026 cycle, Tyran Stokes, and a consensus top-five point guard in the class, Deron Rippey Jr.
The Cardinals are now trending in the right direction for another 5-star guard, as late Tuesday afternoon, Louisville learned that they have made the consensus 5-star Ikenna Alozie's top eight, according to On3 Sports' Joe Tipton.
Related: Louisville basketball receives crushing update on nation's No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes
Louisville basketball receives huge 5-star PG update
Louisville basketball is in an early recruiting battle with Alabama, Arizona, Gonzaga, Houston, Kansas, Kentucky, and Washington as these seven schools round out Alozie's top eight. The consensus 5-star has earned over 26 offers already, with Louisville already beating elite schools like Villanova, Tennessee, St. John's, Michigan, BYU, and many more.
Alozie is ranked as high as No. 9 in the nation, No. 2 in the point guard position, and the consensus top prospect out of Arizona. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound guard received his offer from the Cardinals back in October 2024 and has yet to schedule a visit with Louisville.
“They had an incredible season this past year," Alozie stated per On3 Sports, "I’m trying to watch them and see how they play. Obviosuly, I would be going in to start at the point guard, so I’m just watch their program and how they manage their guards and players. That’s what stands out to me.”
NEWS: 5⭐️ Ikenna Alozie is down to eight schools, he tells @On3Recruits.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) June 24, 2025
The 6-2 point guard is a top-10 overall player in the 2026 class. https://t.co/8HWuZci9Sb pic.twitter.com/4mm7TKjDpH
The elite 5-star guard currently plays high school basketball for Dream City Christian and is also a member of the Utah Prospects in the Nike EYBL circuit, averaging 17.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. He was recently at the NBPA Top 100 Camp, averaging 16.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 55.6% from beyond the arc at the elite camp.
On3 Sports predicts that Washington is the heavy favorite, with a 53.8 percent chance of landing Alozie's commitment, followed by Arizona in second with a 16.7 percent chance.
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For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.