Louisville falling behind for coveted 5-star target as Big East surge continues

Louisville basketball is trending in the right direction for multiple 5-star prospects in the 2026 recruiting class. While the Cardinals may not have yet earned commitments from the elite recruiting cycle, they have made multiple updated recruiting lists, including 5-star guard Abdou Toure.

Louisville recently made Toure's final seven schools after he cut his list from over 18 offers down to seven. The Cardinals are now in a recruiting battle with Arkansas, Florida State, Maryland, Oregon, Providence, and UConn, but appear to be falling behind one school in particular fast.

Related: Louisville gains momentum as recruiting battle heats up for elite 5-star wing

Louisville basketball is losing ground fast for Abdou Toure

Joe Tipton of On3 Sports/Rivals reported yesterday that the 5-star phenom is visiting the Providence Friars this weekend for the third time. The Friars earned two unofficial visits in 2024, but now will earn their first official visit.

The Cardinals are falling drastically behind the Big East programs, as UConn also secured an unofficial visit. The only other program to ensure a visit is Arkansas.

Louisville must work fast and earn a visit before he makes his announcement if they want a shot at earning the 5-star's commitment. Toure is the No. 1 recruit out of Connecticut after winning the Player of the Year award twice. He is ranked as high as the No. 23 recruit in the nation, and is ranked as both a shooting guard and a small forward. The 6-foot-6, 200-pound wing ranks as the No. 7 shooting guard in the 2026 cycle, and the No. 9 small forward.

The Cardinals are in the running for many point guards and small forwards, but not many shooting guards and wings. Toure is a recruit who would fit Kelsey's style of play after he averaged 25.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. This would be a big miss in the 2026 recruiting class for the Cardinals, and it appears it is trending in that direction.

On3 Sports gives Louisville less than one percent chance of earning his commitment, and gives Providence a dominant 63.7 percent chance. Behind the Friars, UConn has a 12.0 percent chance, and Arkansas has a 10.3 percent chance.

Related: Louisville basketball's 2026 recruiting class wish list

For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.