The Louisville basketball program just received a massive update from one of the top prospects in the 2027 class, as 5-star Javon Bardwell cut his list to just four teams already, and the Louisville Cardinals are one of those teams.
The Cardinals extended their offer to Bardwell just a few months ago in June, and after earning just eight offers, the 5-star recruit already cut his list in half, revealing he is down to four teams. Louisville is now in a recruiting battle with Kansas, Texas, and USC, as the Cardinals are expected to intensify their efforts to secure the top 15 recruit.
Related: Louisville basketball's 2026 recruiting class wish list
Louisville basketball makes 5-star's top four
Bardwell ranks as a 5-star recruit and as high as No. 13 in the nation, the No. 5 small forward in the 2027 cycle, and the No. 2 recruit out of Arizona. The 6-foot-6, 175-pound forward played his sophomore season with Overtime Elite and for the Diamond Doves and displayed pure dominance on both ends of the floor.
2027 Top-20 overall recruit Javon Bardwell is down to four schools, he tells @Rivals:
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) September 30, 2025
Texas, USC, Kansas, and Louisville https://t.co/f2nkFgu06K pic.twitter.com/crce6ObA1Z
The Cardinals have yet to earn a visit from Bardwell, but after this update, it wouldn't be shocking if Louisville learns she will visit this fall, possibly on October 24 for the blockbuster preseason showdown against Kansas.
The 5-star recruit averaged 17.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 45.7 percent from the floor and 32.2 percent from beyond the arc. Louisville is making some noise in the 2027 class, earning more and more fall visits. However, this update marks the closest commitment to date in the 2027 class, and possibly even the 2026 class.
The Cardinals have yet to earn a commitment in the 2026 class and the 2027 class, but now that it is October, Cardinals fans and the program should expect many of the top recruits in the 2026 class to announce their commitments. Louisville is entering a crucial month of recruiting, and after whiffing on 5-star Taylen Kinney, the Cardinals must do all they can to try and land a guy like Tyran Stokes or Colben Landrew.
Related: Louisville aims to land first 2026 commitment with crucial visit from elite prospect
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.