Louisville basketball fans saw Pat Kelsey make history yesterday as the Cardinals earned the highest-rated commitment in program history after Obinna Ekezie committed to Louisville. The unanimous 2027 5-star recruit ranked as high as No. 2 in the 2027 recruiting class and No. 1 among centers, but the Cardinals got even better news when he announced he will reclass and will be a major piece this upcoming season.
Louisville basketball just got a massive update hours before Obinna Ekezie Jr.'s decision
Now, the Cardinals' 2026-27 roster is making some serious noise and is emerging as true national contenders for the 2027 National Title. Kelsey has gone out and landed two 5-stars this offseason, and multiple 4-stars, but Louisville still needs to attack the offensive end. And when looking at this roster, it is clear the Cards need a legit 3-point shooter to space the floor out.
Louisville basketball has to get a 3-point sharpshooter
Kelsey is building a dominant defensive group. And to his credit, Louisville fans wanted better defense and a better frontcourt. However, now he must go get some offensive weapons. The hope is that Jackson Shelstad and Adrian Wooley can continue to take a step forward, but Louisville needs a 3-point shooter, specifically a 3-point specialist.
Kelsey is known to play fast and loves his 3-point sharpshooters, and while he is clearly making adjustments and adopting a different style, he still needs at least one sharpshooter. Someone like Reyne Smith and Isaac McKneely, who can go out on the floor and be a legit threat from beyond the arc.
Last season, Ryan Conwell led Louisville with made 3’s, and McKneely wasn’t far behind, just below at 96. The year prior, Smith was the first Cardinal to make 100 3’s or more since Preston Knowles did it in the 2010-2011 season. And so while Louisville’s roster is trending in the right direction and appears to be a legit contender so far this offseason, the fans are making it clear they want a legit offensive threat and someone who is a dominant shooter from beyond the arc.
Paul McNeil recently announced he is returning to North Carolina State, but a transfer like that, who can shoot around 40 percent from beyond the arc and can make around 100 3’s. The Cards need to get someone so Flory Bidunga and Ekezie can take over the paint and be dominant lob threats, and for the paint to open up and for the pick-and-roll to be effective, Louisville needs shooters on the outside so the defense can’t pinch and help so much.
Ekezie is a huge get for Louisville, and now their frontcourt appears to be nearly done. Now, Kelsey must go get a lethal 3-point specialist and someone to replace McKneely.
Related:Obinna Ekezie Jr. gives incredible Louisville quote after Pat Kelsey reeled him in
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