Pat Kelsey and the Louisville Cardinals continue to make a massive push in the class of 2026. The Cardinals received multiple updates on Friday, as the first news to break was that Louisville was one of two teams reportedly to visit the sensational 5-star recruit, Abdou Toure.
Kelsey and his Cardinals appear to be all-in on the class of 2026, as the Cardinals have been in the news with multiple 5-star recruits. The Cardinals are the favorite to land the No. 1 overall recruit, Tyran Stokes. Following Stokes and others, Louisville is now targeting multiple 5-star recruits.
Louisville received excellent news Friday as the Cardinals discovered they made 5-star Anthony Thompson's top 15 schools. The Cards are emerging as one of the top landing spots, but Louisville must win a fierce battle if they want Thompson, as the Cardinals have an uphill battle for the 6-foot-8 small forward.
Related: Louisville basketball making a strong push for 2026 5-star PG
Louisville basketball making a push for elite 5-star wing in 2026 recruiting battle
Louisville is battling for the No. 5 overall player in 2026 and the No. 1 player out of Ohio. Thompson has over 30 offers, but cut them in half in his update Friday afternoon, reducing his list to 15. Joe Tipton of On3 Sports was the first to report Thompson's update.
Louisville is one of the 15 schools, but they will compete against elite programs in Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, Auburn, Michigan, North Carolina, and others. Louisville made their offer in July 2024 as the Cardinals have been one of the more loyal teams to the Western Reserve Academy phenom.
5⭐️ Anthony Thompson, On3’s No. 5 overall recruit in the 2026 class, is down to 15 schools, per his Instagram page.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 25, 2025
The 6-8 small forward received roughly 30 offers. https://t.co/dGbu00fPdt pic.twitter.com/lBKVkcdVsa
Related: 2026 No. 1 prospect, Tyran Stokes, trending towards Louisville basketball
Kelsey is showcasing his ability to recruit this offseason as the Cardinals are quickly becoming a primary target for superstars to play for. Louisville has yet to land a commitment from a player in the class of 2026, but it is still early, and the transfer portal showed that all it takes is that first domino to fall their way.
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's recruiting, stay tuned.