Louisville basketball, unfortunately, gets more crushing news this afternoon from the 2026 recruiting class. Cards fans tuned in for a 4-star recruit and a highly recruited center commitment announcement this early afternoon, but unfortunately, they learned that Josh Irving would not commit to the Cardinals.
Irving announced this afternoon on CBS Sports that he will commit to Texas A&M over the Cardinals and the Kentucky Wildcats. The two Kentucky programs have been struggling with this 2026 recruiting class as they have yet to earn a commitment from a high school player.
NEWS: 4⭐️ Josh Irving has committed to Texas A&M, he tells @Rivals.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) October 23, 2025
The 6-11 center and top-40 overall recruit in the 2026 class chose the Aggies over Kentucky and Louisville. https://t.co/BOMVUnwoIr pic.twitter.com/cWQITQljaR
The Cardinals have now struck out on three targets that Pat Kelsey recruited heavily. First, Louisville struck out on Taylen Kinney and then Colben Landrew, and now Irving.
Related: 2 Dream, 2 reach, 2 realistic targets for Louisville after Colben Landrew commitment
Louisville basketball strikes out on another top target
The Cards fans recently broke the internet by landing London Johnson's commitment. Johnson was a former G League player, spending three seasons in the professional league. Now, he will join the Cardinals next season at 21 years old and is the only 2026 commitment for Kelsey at this moment.
Irving stings a little bit for Louisville fans, who were hoping this one could help them land other recruits like Ikenna Alozie or Deron Rippey Jr. However, after striking out on Irving and Louisville, bringing in a former G-League point guard, it appears the Cards are out on both 5-star guards.
Irving ranked as high as No. 51 in the nation and the No. 4 center in the 2026 recruiting class. Louisville fans are a bit disappointed in this recruiting class, as they really thought Mikel Brown Jr.'s commitment was going to spark a new era, but as of right now, it looks like Kelsey has to dominate the Transfer Portal for another year.
Related: Frustration boils over as Louisville basketball's recruiting momentum stalls
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.