The Transfer Portal season is officially over for Louisville basketball, as the Cardinals and Pat Kelsey are gearing up for the upcoming season. Louisville had to completely rebuild this roster after losing all five starters and nine of its top 10 players, including NBA Draft prospects Mikel Brown Jr. and Ryan Conwell, who each averaged over 18 points for Louisville this past season.
Fox Sports sends loud message in Louisville vs. Kentucky debate with latest rankings
So, Kelsey and the Cardinals had an eventful offseason, and a lot of their time was spent in the Transfer Portal. Kelsey added six transfers and put Louisville right back in the National Title conversation, as Louisville is ranked as high as No. 5 in Fox Sports' latest way-too-early rankings.
ESPN recently released its final Transfer Portal rankings, and Louisville fans didn’t have to scroll too far to find the Cardinals, as Louisville and Kelsey got the love they deserve.
Pat Kelsey’s Transfer Portal masterclass earns major ESPN recognition
Now, some Louisville fans probably want the Cards at the top and ranked No. 1 in the nation, like what 247Sports has them ranked, but it's hard to complain when Louisville is No. 2 in the nation for their additions.
ESPN and Jeff Borzello give Louisville and Kelsey their flowers, ranking the Cardinals' offseason as the second-best in the nation, only behind Tennessee.
"Despite losing out on Momcilovic's commitment, Louisville still closes the portal cycle with an elite group of transfers. The Cardinals made a very early splash, securing Shelstad and Bidunga within days of the portal opening -- Shelstad was one of the best point guards available, while Bidunga is one of the sport's premier defenders and will be an immediate All-ACC frontcourt player. Folgueiras was terrific in the NCAA tournament after an up-and-down season at Iowa; Knox brings power, athleticism and some two-way ability; and Montgomery is an excellent defender who can score."Jeff Borzello
Louisville’s six additions are, of course, highlighted by Flory Bidunga, who is joining Louisville after earning All-Big 12 First-Team and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year this past season. Bidunga is a unanimous 5-star transfer, ranked No. 1 overall on the portal, and is coming off a year in which he averaged 13.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game.
Borzello appears to be all in on Bidunga, naming them an All-ACC-caliber player, and joining the 5-star transfer is Jackson Shelstad. The Oregon transfer is a former 5-star transfer who ranked No. 18 overall in the portal and No. 4 among point guards. His season was cut short last year, but in his 12 games, he was one of the best point guards in the nation, splashing 33 3-pointers and averaging 15.6 points, 4.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game.
Also earning praise from ESPN’s college basketball insider was Karter Knox, who is expected to be a two-way player for Kelsey. Knox averaged over eight points in both seasons with Arkansas and is a former 5-star recruit out of high school. And De'Shayne Montgomery continues to earn praise for his ability to defend and is emerging as Kelsey’s X-factor off the bench.
The Cardinals rank two spots above Kentucky despite missing out on Milan Momcilovic, and ESPN makes it clear this offseason haul by Kelsey was one of the best in the nation, putting Louisville right back in the mix as a Final Four contender.
Also read: Analyst just gave Louisville's Flory Bidunga bulletin-board material after bold prediction
For all the latest news and updates on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.
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