Louisville basketball star center Aly Khalifa officially won the appeal, and he will be granted eligibility for the upcoming season. The Cardinal's 6-foot-10, 250-pound center was ruled ineligible back on May 15, causing the program and the fans to panic.
Khalifa is a massive piece of the Cardinals' roster, as he can shoot from anywhere on the floor, pass like no other big man, and bully his way into the paint. Receiving this news today is not only monumental for Louisville's season but also an emotional one for Khalifa.
The Cardinals released a video on X featuring Pat Kelsey announcing to the team that Khalifa has won the appeal and will play next season. Get some tissue because it's quite a tearjerker.
Aly Khalifa's massive update will have Louisville Basketball fans wiping away tears
It is hard to imagine what the last couple of months have been for Khalifa. There have been clips on the internet of the big man working and showcasing his skills with the team, but in the back of his head, he had to be thinking there was a possibility he might not play.
Khalifa has been nothing but a fantastic teammate and someone who wants the best for the program; that is why this update is leaving Louisville fans, including himself, so emotional. Louisville released a video of Kelsey announcing to the team, and while the entire team is jumping for joy, Khalifa is seen wiping away tears and appears extremely emotional.
Had a big team meeting today….
— Louisville Men's Basketball (@LouisvilleMBB) June 27, 2025
Stay til the end 🫡#GoCards pic.twitter.com/X1q4uTn1s1
The 6-foot-10 center has gained tremendous experience over his four years, having won the Conference USA Rookie of the Year award with Charlotte, where he averaged 7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from beyond the arc. His best season came the year after, when he averaged 11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 51.1 percent from the floor and 38.1 percent from beyond the arc.
The Cardinals will now have a dominant center and will be a force to be reckoned with next season with Khalifa in the paint. This video was an emotional one, but now that the big man is eligible to play, the fans are transitioning from wiping away their tears to being extremely hyped up for the next season and counting down the days to tip-off.
Related: Projected 2025-26 Louisville basketball starting lineup with and without Aly Khalifa
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason, stay tuned.