7-foot-3 transfer is exactly what Louisville basketball has been missing

The Transfer Portal opens next week, on April 7, and with Pat Kelsey losing multiple starters and key bench players, Louisville basketball is expected to be heavily involved for the third straight season. The Cardinals will have to address multiple areas this offseason, but one glaring need is their frontcourt.

Louisville's Adrian Wooley sparks Transfer Portal buzz with latest social media post

Louisville needs someone who can be a bruiser in the paint and can have a dominant presence on offense and defense. Louisville will hope Sananda Fru can take a jump this offseason and be a bit more physical next year, but with Louisville losing Aly Khalifa and most likely Kasean Pryor, the Cardinals need to go get another big man.

One of the most recent centers to enter the portal should have Kelsey’s full attention as the 7-foot-3, 280-pound Andrew McKeever is exactly what the Cardinals are looking for.

Andrew McKeever is what Louisville basketball desperatley needs

It was announced just this morning that Saint Mary’s center will plan to enter the Transfer Portal, making him one of the top centers in the portal. At 7-foot-3, 280 pounds, he was one of the best rebounders in college basketball last season and was effective on offense, being able to set big screens and roll to the rim.

The Cardinals' frontcourt was their glaring weakness throughout the season, and when they faced elite competition, it was quickly exposed in these big games. Louisville was often physically outmatched against ranked opponents, which was a big reason they would lose by double digits or go down big early in the second half.

A player like McKeever would be a huge get for Kelsey, as he was the WCC's top rebounder with 302 rebounds, averaging 9.2 in just 20 minutes per game. Last year, Louisville would sometimes struggle from beyond the arc, which made their offense stagnant because they lacked frontcourt presence.

McKeever is a 7-foot-3 center who is excellent at setting screens at the top of the key and rolling to the basket with a huge frame. Someone of his size and frame makes a huge target, and once he catches the ball in stride, he doesn’t even have to dribble and can just slam it for an easy dunk.

He would be a huge spark for the Cardinals as he averaged 8.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, including 3.8 offensive rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 0.8 blocks per game last season. He also has the ability to pass the ball, as Jon Chepkevich reported, as he was one of two NCAA 7-footers last season with a 15.0+ AST% and 10+ dunks.

Louisville needs to give its frontcourt some love this offseason in the Transfer Portal, and a player like McKeever, who rebounds at a high rate, is a beast in the paint with his massive frame and can pass the ball, is someone who Kelsey must attack when the portal opens up.

Related: 3 elite transfer portal targets Louisville basketball must land to fix glaring need

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