Louisville basketball and Pat Kelsey have been making a huge push for one of the nation's top prospects, and the hard work is now one step closer to paying off. The Cardinals have added multiple 5-star recruits to updated recruiting lists, including three of the top prospects in the country.
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One of Kelsey’s top targets is 5-star forward DeMarcus Henry. The elite small forward has already taken an official visit to Louisville and originally cut his list to just eight schools. Now, as we inch closer to his commitment, Cardinals fans just got a huge update from On3 Sports Joe Tipton as his commitment date is officially set, and the 5-star has cut the list to just four schools.
Louisville makes No. 2 DeMarcus Henry's final four
The 5-star senior is one of the nation's top recruits, and the Cardinals are one step closer to earning his commitment. Henry just cut his list down to just four schools, putting UofL in a heated recruiting battle with Kentucky, UNC, and Arkansas.
On top of the final four schools, Tipton says Henry is set to decide this week and will announce his choice on October 30.
NEWS: 5⭐️ DeMarcus Henry has announced his final four schools: North Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Louisville.
— Joe Tipton (@JoeTipton) October 26, 2026
The 6-foot-7 small forward is set to announce his commitment on Friday, October 30th. https://t.co/F5Aa04tC4W pic.twitter.com/QE1g6VHuR5
The Cardinals making his final four is one step in the right direction, but the job isn’t finished yet. This recruiting process has seen a lot of change, as Louisville was once the frontrunner, Arkansas was, and now North Carolina is emerging as the newest favorite.
Henry took an official visit to Louisville in September, and then Pat Kelsey visited him again shortly after. Kelsey was seen talking with Henry and explaining why the Cardinals must land him, making it clear what makes Henry stand out.
“He doesn’t realize this just because it is in him to work this hard,” stated Kelsey. “Sometimes it is like 4 a.m., and we’re in here. And that alone- I mean, obviously you’re talented, but that separates you, man. Separator man. You are a can’t-miss guy. Can’t miss, because that’s your mentality.”
He also visited Arkansas and Kentucky, and just recently visited North Carolina this past weekend. Now, it comes down to if Kelsey’s pitch worked and if he did just enough to land one of the top prospects in the naiton.
Henry ranks as high as No. 2 overall and is a unanimous 5-star recruit and the No. 1 small forward. The 6-foot-7 small forward averaged 18.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam this summer.
It won’t be an easy get for Louisville and Kelsey, as they'll face three of the top recruiting programs in the country, and all four teams have made it clear they want the 5-star. Everyone is watching this one closely, as the Cardinals will look to land their third 5-star in three years and they will find out this Friday.
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