Louisville basketball learned some crushing news earlier today that they struck out on 4-star shooting guard Colben Landrew. The elite shooting guard is one of the top recruits in the nation, and the fans were left speechless, thinking they truly had a shot.
As Cardinals fans turn the page and ask themselves who is next, the answer turns out to be an easy one. The Cardinals got some much-needed positive news in the 2026 recruiting class as their next top target and 4-star center Josh Irving gave them some thrilling news this afternoon.
Louisville basketball receives massive update from top target
Iriving is a 4-star center and is ranked as a top 40 recruit in the 2026 class. The Cardinals have made him their priority after the No. 1 center Arafan Diane cut Louisville from his list. Irving is an athletic center who stands tall at 6-foot-11 200 pounds.
Irving recently finished his visits, and despite Louisville being one of his first visits, the Cardinals left a great impression on the 4-star, as Joe Tipton just reported a massive update. Irving cut his list down to just three schools, and it appears the Cards are now in a big-time recruiting battle with Kentucky and Texas A&M.
NEWS: 4⭐️ Josh Irving is down to three schools, his agent Harrison Gaines tells @Rivals:
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) October 15, 2025
Kentucky, Louisville, and Texas A&M
The 6-11 center is a top-40 overall recruit in the 2026 class. https://t.co/iPIiJ28D2B pic.twitter.com/Q3wQMqfIDj
The Cardinals have beat out elite programs for the 4-star center, as Kansas, SMU, San Diego State, USC, and many others were all being considered.
Irving ranks No. 51 in the nation and the fourth-best center according to 247Sports. The Cards logged an official visit back in September, and also visited Irving, making sure to keep them in mind. Now, Louisville will go head-to-head with their in-state rival yet again in Kentucky, as well as the Aggies, who both earned a visit after Louisville.
The Cardinals have yet to earn a commitment in the 2026 recruiting class, and it appears Irving is their best chance to earn that crucial first commitment. Louisville has had some unlucky luck so far this fall, but with the Cardinals making Irving's final three, hopefully that is the beginning of a new chapter.
Related: Predicting 3 elite recruits who will commit to the Louisville Cardinals this fall
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.