Ever since Pat Kelsey arrived in Louisville as their head coach last year, he made one thing clear, and that is he wants this program to be a massive target for 5-star recruits. The Louisville Cardinals have extended over 25 offers to the 2026 class and have already garnered multiple visits from elite 5-star recruits.
This past week, the NBA Players Association's Top 100 Camp took place at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center, featuring top targets from around the nation. Louisville has been waiting to hear some good news from a few of the 5-star players who competed at this event, and they finally received a massive report from the 5-star forward Qayden Samuels.
247Sports Jody Demling reported that the elite 5-star forward recruiting process is "wide open right now," but Louisville basketball is trending as one of his top targets.
Related: Louisville basketball continues recruiting surge with another 5-star in sights
Game-changing 5-star forward trending towards Louisville basketball this summer
Samuels is a massive 5-star forward from Bishop McNamara High School. The 6-foot-5 205-pound forward is ranked as high as No. 10 in the 2026 cycle and the fourth-best small forward, per ESPN. On3 Sports also classifies him as a shooting guard and thinks just as highly of him, as he is ranked No. 15 in the nation and the fourth-best shooting guard.
The 5-star guard/forward has earned over 20 offers already, but according to Demling, he is eyeing up a massive visit to Louisville this August.
"That's the only thing I have scheduled right now," Samuels stated to Demling, "I love and I love their coach. He came to one of my workouts before, amazing. I love his energy, I love how he talks to me, I love him. He shows love." Samuels stated about love he has for Louisville and Kelsey.
Samuels has earned offers from big-time schools already, as Georgetown and Villanova currently lead the way, per On3 Sports predictions. Also, making offers include Alabama, Texas, Kansas, Tennessee, and many others.
Demling reports that Samuels is trending to the Cardinals for a visit later this Summer in August with another 5-star, Jordan Smith. The Cardinals are hoping for a massive summer and to earn a big-time splash for their first 2026 commitment.
Related: Louisville basketball wastes no time offering potential Mikel Brown Jr. replacement
The 5-star is averaging 21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 43.1 percent from beyond the arc in 17U EYBL division.
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.