Earlier in the week, Louisville basketball learned that one of its international hidden gems, Vangelis Zougris, suffered a right ankle sprain while playing for the Greek national team against Belgium. The Cardinals fans don't know much about this injury as there hasn't been any official update or report on it, but what they do know is that the 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward was unable to walk off the floor and into the locker room on his own.
Zougris is expected to be a crucial piece for Pat Kelsey next season off the bench, as the fans have seen in just a few clips that he appears to be the Cardinals' spark of energy. The Greek forward has passion and grit that Louisville needs and loves to have on the floor, but after this injury, it will be worth watching to see if he is held back at all and impacts his minutes and transition to college basketball.
So, after this crushing injury just months before the season begins, here are six players who must step up if Zougris is limited at the beginning of the season.
6 Louisville Cardinals who must step up after Vangelis Zougris' injury
6. J'Vonne Hadley
The Cardinals' ultimate utility player is the 6-foot-6 215-pound J'Vonne Hadley. The former shooting guard transfer from Colorado is now one of Kelsey's best power forwards and most reliable players on the roster.
Hadley's role is unknown entering the 2025 season, but after Zougris' injury, he can expect more minutes at the power forward position than he may expect. Hadley will most likely start at power forward with Kasean Pryor coming off an ACL injury, and Louisville needing some veteran presence on the floor.
After this injury, Hadley will once again be relied on to be an elite rebounder, defender, and floor general for both starters and backups. Hadley led the team in rebounds last season with 7.3 rebounds per game, and now, with Zougris' injury, he will most likely be a veteran player with that second group and will be expected to be a vocal leader.
Related: Pat Kelsey drops one fiery word about J’Vonne Hadley’s return to Louisville