Louisville basketball's 2026 recruiting nightmare continues as the Cardinals learned yesterday they will no longer be considered for 5-star Jaxon Richardson. The small forward is regarded as one of the top athletes in the 2026 recruiting class, ranking as high as No. 11 nationally.
Richardson cut his list down to 10 schools, which included Louisville, and in a battle with powerhouse programs. However, yesterday, the 5-star recruit cut his list down to four schools, and the Cardinals were no longer on the list. The four schools in the running for Richardson are Alabama, Creighton, USC, and Ole Miss.
NEWS: 2026 5⭐️ Jaxon Richardson has cut his list to four schools, he told @LeagueRDY:
— Sam Kayser (@KayserHoops) November 14, 2025
Ole Miss
Creighton
Alabama
USC
Richardson is one of the best pure athletes in the ‘26 class. Son of former NBA veteran, Jason Richardson. #11 in the @SCNext 100. pic.twitter.com/CoGEGYPxwd
The 5-star forward is ranked as a consensus top 25 prospect in the 2026 recruiting class and is ranked as high as No. 4 in the skilled small forward position. After the Cardinals struck out on Tyran Stokes, Taylen Kinney, Colben Landrew, and now Richardson, it is clear Pat Kelsey has to dominate the Transfer Portal yet again.
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Louisville basketball strikes out on another 5-star recruit
Richardson recently took an official visit to Louisville on Nov. 8, but after his second visit to the Cardinals, it appears it wasn't enough, and Louisville fell short in the recruiting process. The 5-star wing is one of the top-ranked prospects in the 2026 recruiting class as he is an elite two-way player after averaging 13.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 63.4 percent from the field.
The Cardinals have landed just one commitment in the 2026 recruiting class, as London Johnson, who was previously committed to Louisville from the G-League, has committed to the Cardinals. Louisville striking out on their top targets in the 2026 recruiting class makes it clear that Kelsey has to recoup the $10 million to spend in the Transfer Portal, so he can grab elite players from the portal.
Everyone knows about the three transfers Louisville landed from the portal last season, and the Cards are going to need something similar next offseason. Adrian Wooley and Khani Rooths will lead Louisville, with hopes of being a National Title contender again next year. However, with Duke having the best recruiting class so far, Louisville must have a massive offseason.