Louisville basketball has been trending for multiple 5-star prospects in the 2026 cycle. The Cardinals are favored to land at least three 5-star recruits in the 2026 cycle, including the nation's No. 1 overall recruit, Tyran Stokes.
Louisville is emerging as a big-time landing spot for these high school superstars, and it is becoming clear with these 2026 5-stars. Well, Pat Kelsey and his staff are now going after elite 5-stars in the 2027 cycle, as the Cardinals recently made an offer to the 5-star Obinna Ekezie Jr.
The Cardinals now extend an offer to another 2027 superstar, and this time, it is to 5-star Javon Bardwell.
Related: Louisville basketball receives crushing update on nation's No. 1 recruit Tyran Stokes
Louisville basketball set sights on yet another game-changing 5-star in 2027 cycle
Bardwell is ranked as high as a 5-star recruit in the 2027 cycle and No. 15 in the nation, per 247Sports. He is regarded as the seventh-best small forward and No. 2 out of Arizona. The 5-star recruits have earned just eight offers so far, as Cal, Mississippi State, Nevada, Texas Tech, and other schools have already extended an offer.
The 6-foot-6, 175-pound small forward played with Overtime Elite last season and put up spectacular numbers in just 18 games. Bardwell averaged 17.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, and shot the ball exceptionally well at 45.7 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from downtown.
I am extremely blessed and grateful to announce that I have received a division one scholarship offer to the University of Louisville.❤️🤍 #agtg pic.twitter.com/mP2OUDv5RE
— Javon Bardwell (@yt_vonyy) June 25, 2025
The Cardinals are expected to have one of the top recruiting classes in 2026, which will position the program for success in 2027. Louisville landed a historic commitment from 5-star Mikel Brown Jr, which appears to have been the first domino to fall Kelsey's way. Now, Louisville brought in three big-time names from the transfer portal, setting this program's future up for success.
Related: 2 Dream, 2 reach, 2 realistic 2026 5-star targets Louisville basketball could land
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.