Louisville basketball in contact with final piece for National Championship quest

The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball roster is looking closer and closer to a National Title roster every day. Pat Kelsey has assembled one of the best rosters in the nation, and this team has its sights set on that 2026 National Championship banner.

The Cardinals haven't won the National Championship game since 2013, but with this stacked roster, that might change. Kelsey was able to land three massive targets from the transfer portal, building an elite backcourt for next season.

Louisville basketball's roster isn't quite complete, as the Cardinals still have a couple of spots remaining. Louisville was able to land two international commitments, but they plan to go back to the portal as they are in contact with an underrated gem that just might be the final piece for their National Title quest.

Related: Louisville basketball's projected depth chart for 2025-26 season

Louisville basketball in-contact with final piece for National Championship quest

While the Cards' backcourt is stacked, they always have to prepare for the worst. Louisville has 5-star Mikel Brown Jr. starting at the point, and key returning guard Kobe Rodgers is set to back him up. Kelsey now looks to add to his point guard room as he has reportedly contacted Bowling Green transfer Derrick Butler, per Hitmen Hoops.

The 6-foot-2 guard is an excellent shot-creator who can shoot from anywhere on the floor at high volume. Last season, he shot 41.7 percent off the dribble from beyond the arc while finishing 53.2 percent of his shots within the paint.

Butler averaged 13.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.8 steals per game while shooting 34.5 percent from downtown and 41.2 percent from the floor. He averaged 2.0 made 3-pointers on 5.7 attempts per game.

The guard had an impressive 2024-25 resume, as he scored 15 points or more in 17 games, 20 points or more in five games, and his season-high was a 35-point performance against Morgan State, where he splashed a season-high six 3-pointers.

The Bowling Green transfer played for Central Michigan in the 2023-24 season and averaged 10.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 41.7 percent from beyond the arc. In his lone season with the Chippewas, Butler led CMU in made 3-pointers with 52 and was the third-highest scorer as well. He scored 10 points or more 15 times and earned 20 points or more four times.

Now, he will enter the portal once again, and this time, elite programs target him. Louisville is in a heated battle against Tennessee, Ole Miss, Seton Hall, and others.

This would be a great addition to the Cards' already stacked backcourt, as Butler has two years of eligibility left, meaning he could be a key player next year off the bench. Louisville has begun summer camp, and the addition of Butler would be an excellent pickup for Kelsey's Cardinals.

Related: Louisville basketball plotting to steal Duke's secret sauce with a championship run

For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.