Louisville basketball is still looking for its first commitment in the 2026 recruiting class, and it appears they are bringing in their ultimate secret weapon to help recruit. The Cardinals are emerging as one of the top landing spots in the nation as they are finding themselves in elite 5-star recruits updated lists, and now are trying to get that first domino to fall their way.
Pat Kelsey is one of the best recruiters and coaches in the nation, and he proved it by landing 5-star point guard Mikel Brown Jr. in January and then securing a massive haul in the Transfer Portal. However, it never hurts to bring in some help, and it appears NBA superstar and Louisville legend Donovan Mitchell is coming in and trying to help the Cardinals land their next 5-star point guard.
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Donovan Mitchell steps in to help Louisville land its next 5-star PG
Mitchell has remained loyal to Louisville since he got drafted back in 2017, and has tried to help bring superstar talent and top recruits in the nation to the Cardinals. The six-time NBA All-Star is one of the best athletes to ever walk through the University, as he holds the record for most points in the NBA and the most All-Star appearances in the NBA by a former Cardinal.
He now puts on his recruiting hat once more and appears to be talking with 5-star point guard Deron Rippey Jr. Now, the clip is extremely short, but in the past, Mitchell has made it clear he wants to bring the best talent to Louisville.
Donovan Mitchell walks and talks with Deron Rippey Jr.
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In the video, all that is heard is Rippey mentioning Indiana and Tennessee. It appears Mitchell then gives him a brief word of advice, but it isn't clear what he stated. Mitchell was seen recruiting 5-star Tennessee commit Nate Ament back in April when Ament was still deciding where he wanted to go.
Louisville recently made Rippey's top 12, and it is clear there is a relationship between the two that continues to grow. The 5-star point guard ranks as high as the No. 17 prospect in the nation and the second-best point guard behind Taylen Kinney.
Many experts believe Rippey could jump Kinney for that top point guard spot, especially after he won the Adidas Palmetto Road Championships MVP award. The Cardinals appear to be all-in on both Kinney and Rippey, and if Mitchell can help Kelsey land one of these 5-stars, it would make Louisville trend in the direction of being a point guard university.
Related: Louisville fans holding breath after 5-star PG and top target names final 12
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.