Louisville basketball is closing in on a big-time superstar in the 2026 class as 4-star Cole Cloer cuts his list down to just eight schools, and the Cardinals are sitting pretty.
Head coach Pat Kelsey has been recruiting nonstop all offseason, and he is trying to get that first domino to fall his way. Well, he might be closer than he thinks after the elite small forward included Kelsey's Cardinals in his top eight.
Louisville is in a massive recruiting battle with North Carolina State, Indiana, UConn, Florida, Alabama, Virginia, and North Carolina. The 6-foot-8, 185-pound forward has not announced his commitment date, but it is clear Louisville is one step closer to landing its first big-time commitment in the 2026 cycle.
NEWS: 2026 Top-30 overall recruit Cole Cloer is down to eight schools, he tells @Rivals.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) July 3, 2025
The 6-8 rising senior is one of the top wings in the country.https://t.co/9z2l7QrnhQ pic.twitter.com/8KkaL7joaZ
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Being a North Carolina native, the Tar Heels have a dominant lead over every other program, according to On3 Sports predictions. The recruiting website gives UNC an 86.3 percent chance. The good news is that Louisville made the top eight and was able to beat out 15 other programs, as he earned over 23 offers.
Some of the elite programs that didn't make the cut include Tennessee, Villanova, Ohio State, Miami, Iowa, Illinois, and others. If the Cards could land the 4-star phenom's commitment, it would not only be massive because they beat out their ACC rivals, North Carolina and Virginia, for Cloer's commitment, but it would also be the spark they desperately need.
Cloer took an unofficial visit to Louisville in January 2025 after receiving an offer from Kelsey in June 2024. The 4-star forward would be a big-time recruit to commit to the Cardinals, as he averaged 20.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game last season. He also stacked the stat sheet during his first- and second-year student campaigns, averaging 21.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 2.6 assists per game in his sophomore season and 20.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, and 3.1 assists per game in his freshman season.
Kelsey has been patiently waiting for that first domino to fall his way, and while it appears North Carolina is the clear favorite, Cloer would fit perfectly with Kelsey's offense. After committing to Louisville, it is clear that the 5-star recruits would follow right behind him.
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For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.