Louisville basketball makes the cut for elite guard as transfer portal heats up

Louisville basketball season concluded a little more than 24 hours ago, but Pat Kelsey and company are already hitting the transfer portal.

Joe Tipton reported that Louisville secured a spot in former Iowa guards' final six teams. Brock Harding averaged 8.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists while shooting 45.4 percent from the floor and 39.8 percent from beyond the arc.

Louisville is expected to have a massive offseason in the spring transfer portal. On3 just reported that the Cardinals and Pat Kelsey are expected to spend $8 million to $10 million this offseason in the transfer portal.

The spring transfer portal will open on Monday, March 24, and close on Tuesday, April 22. Pat Kelsey and Louisville will have to target the guard position as they will lose their top three scorers, Chucky Hepburn, Terrence Edwards Jr, and Reyne Smith. Harding is a perfect fit for Kelsey, and it is an excellent sign that Louisville is in the final mix for this elite guard.

Louisville basketball makes the cut for elite guard as transfer portal heats up

On3 ranks Harding No. 31 in the transfer portal and as the No. 7 point guard in the spring window. The Iowa transfer guard final teams remaining include Louisville, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, TCU, Texas Tech, and Washington.

The 6-foot, 162-pound guard showed flashes of his lethal shooting and ability to handle the ball this past season. His season-high came against Utah State, where he dropped an impressive double-double with 20 points and 10 assists while shooting 69 percent from the floor and 40 percent from beyond the arc.

Harding had five games with three or more three-pointers and showed glaring potential. Kelsey brought in Chucky Hepburn last season, who was ranked No. 101 in the transfer portal. It is clear Kelsey can give young players confidence and grow them to their full potential, and this is making Louisville a prime landing spot for players in the transfer portal.