Louisville basketball's Aly Khalifa’s inspirational journey warms hearts nationwide

Louisville basketball heartwarming story around their center, Aly Khalifa, is one that not only will make Cardinals fans smile, but could help Pat Kelsey and his squad next year.

Aly Khalifa is a first year transfer into Cardinals program, as he played one season at BYU (2023-24) and two at Charlotte (2021-22, 2022-23). The Cardinals center is currently being red-shirted and getting healthy this season after a knee injury.

The center out of Alexandria, Egypt, has made a transformation throughout the season that is incredible and could be one of the more heartwarming stories of the year off the court. Khalifa stands tall at 6-foot-11, and before most recent post he was around 299 pounds.

However, on social media strength coach Eli Foy, released his transformation and it brings an immediate smile to Cardinals and college basketball fans.

Louisville basketball's Aly Khalifa inspirational journey

Aly Khalifa now is weighting in at 250 pounds and the before and after pictures are incredible. He has now lost 50-pounds and the overall weight loss to muscle gain is inspirational and genuinely a truly uplifting story of the season.

Earlier this month when Pat Kelsey was asked about his teams injuries and getting players ready to play, he stated this on strength coach, Eli Foy.

"I trust him with my life., He has those guys so wired and ready to go. He gives me great counsel too and I trust him." Kelsey stated.

It is clear as day now why, Kelsey would trust him with his life. Khalifa transformation is remarkable, and proves how important Foy is to this organization. This is Foy's first year at Louisville, as he was brought over with Pat Kelsey.

Before Louisville, he was at Winthrop for three seasons, and was the Director of Sports Performance at College of Charleston, and overlooked 19 different sports. Foy was also at Winthrop with Pat Kelsey as their sports performance coach as well. Before then, he was at University of Arizona, where he helped coached Deandre Ayton, and Lauri Markkanen.

Foy whipped Khalifa right into shape and gives Pat Kelsey and Cardinals nation promise that he can be a star next season.

Khalifa has had some success in his collegiate career as he was named 2022 Conference USA Freshman of the Year with Charlotte, where he averaged 7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists. He followed that impressive freshman year improving his stats to 11.1 points, 6.3 rebound and 2.7 assists, and started in every game for the 49ers.

He later would transfer to BYU, started every game but three, and shot nearly 32% from beyond the arc. He is shooting 35% in his collegiate career from downtown and could be a valuable player off the bench next season.