Louisville basketball secured three-star players from the transfer portal as Isaac McKneely, Adrian Wooley, and Ryan Conwell committed to Pat Kelsey and the Cardinals this week.
The Cardinals could still land another massive splash, but there is a good chance they will start spreading the wealth to address their depth in the forward position. The Cardinals will bring in Sananda Fru and will most likely return James Scott and Kasean Pryor, but the Cardinals still need an elite forward who can be a threat on the offensive side and an elite rim protector on the other side.
It will be interesting to see Kelsey's lineup next season, as he will have to choose two or three guards to start from Mikel Brown Jr., Ryan Conwell, Adrian Wooley, and Isaac McKneely. After that, Kasean Pryor and Sananda Fru will probably start in the frontcourt, and James Scott and Khani Rooths will come off the bench.
5 Under-the-radar players Louisville basketball must target in transfer portal
This Cardinals team depth is starting to fill out, and they are now just missing one piece. The Cardinal's backcourt is completed, but their frontcourt is missing an elite rim protector and possibly a 6-foot-7 player who is an elite playmaker but can also provide excellent defense.
Fans have expressed these needs on our social media pages, so we wanted to list some players who fit their needs exactly. So, here are five under-the-radar players Louisville basketball must target in the transfer portal.
5. C Gabe Dynes - Youngstown State
2024-25 Statistics: 33 G, 6.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 0.4 APG, 3.1 BPG, 69.9% FG
Louisville basketball must try to find a true center in the portal. The Cardinals' height was a big concern last season, and while it seems likely that James Scott and Kasean Pryor will return, Kelsey must try to get that elite rim protector to help elevate their defense.
One name many people aren't talking about is Gabe Dynes, who is out of Youngstown State. The 7-foot-3 transfer is one of the best rim protectors in the transfer portal, as he averaged 2.3 blocks per game in his first year and 3.1 blocks this past season in his sophomore season, which was the third most in the nation. Last season, he played 34 games and earned an impressive 104 blocks, the most in college basketball.
He earned four blocks or more in 14 games and six or more in five games. He earned seven blocks in two games and nine blocks against Toledo, which made his season high.
According to 247Sports, this elite rim protector is a 4-star prospect and the No. 13 best center in the portal. He came off the bench last season, and it would be likely that if the Cardinals went after him, he would back Kasean Pryor or Sananda Fru. He would be a tremendous defensive center, and Kelsey needs to protect the rim. Last season, he averaged 6.8 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting nearly 70 percent from the floor.
Related: Louisville missing crucial piece even after Adrian Wooley and Ryan Conwell commit