Louisville basketball has been trending with multiple 5-star recruits in the 2026 cycle, but the name that all college basketball fans have an eye on is the nation's No. 1 player, Tyran Stokes. The Louisville native is a consensus 5-star prospect and has been trending with Louisville throughout his recruitment.
The Cardinals were the dominant favorite to land Stokes, as On 3 Sports gave them a 66 percent chance of securing his commitment. However, since the 5-star forward visited Kansas and Kentucky, the Cards' chances have dropped to 32 percent.
While Louisville remains in the lead to earn Stokes's commitment, it is clear that the Cardinals must also target other elite 5-star recruits. Well, the Cardinals have been in contact with the perfect Mikel Brown Jr. replacement once he goes pro, as Tay Kinney is beginning to emerge as Pat Kelsey's top target moving forward.
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Louisville basketball trending toward a new No. 1 5-star target in 2026
Stokes will always be the Cardinals' No. 1 dream target in the 2026 class, but after these two visits and scheduling more and more visits, it is beginning to appear it isn't a lock to land this massive splash anymore. Kelsey, doing the right thing, has a few backup plans, and his No. 1 target after Stokes is the elite 5-star point guard out of Newport, Ky.
Kinney recently visited Louisville and expressed how much he enjoyed the campus, the program, and the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals.
"It was a great visit," Kinney stated per 247 Sports Jody Demling. "Pat Kelsey and the whole staff, they have a lot of energy. They showed me love, my family and I. It was a great visit."
Louisville continues to trend in the right direction, especially after his visit to the University. Louisville has the second-highest chance of earning Kinney's commitment, according to On3 Sports' forecast. The Cardinals are in a fierce recruiting battle with the Kentucky Wildcats, with Louisville having a 22.6 percent chance, while Kentucky has a 25.8 percent chance.
Demling reported that Kelsey is all-in on Kinney, and the following quote from the elite 5-star will prove that the Cardinals are putting all their marbles in his basket.
"They just told me that I was their guy," Kinney stated, according to Demling's report. "I fit perfectly into their system, and there's no other school that I fit better into than them."
While every recruit probably hears that pitch, it is clear that Kelsey is set on trying to secure these two Kentucky natives in the 2026 cycle and out-recruit the University of Kentucky Wildcats. If Louisville could land Stokes and Kinney over Kentucky, the future of this program would reach an all-time high.
Kinney went on to state that Kelsey talks to him twice a week, and his parents talk to him multiple times a week. The 5-star is quickly trending toward Louisville after he visited with the Cardinals in June. Kelsey will have his work cut out for him, but after these few quotes, it is clear that Louisville wants this 5-star commitment, and they want it badly.
Kinney averaged 20.1 points, 5.0 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 55.6 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from downtown. He was played for the Wildcat Select in the Adidas 3SSB, averaging 20.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.
Related: Louisville basketball in prime position to jump Kentucky for elite in-state 5-star PG
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.