Louisville stunned after 5-star SG delivers gut-wrenching blow in recruiting update

Louisville basketball learns they did not make 5-star guard's top six in his massive recruiting update.
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Louisville basketball learned heartbreaking news Tuesday afternoon as one of the program's top targets updated his list, and the Cardinals did not make his list, per On3 Sports/ Rival Joe Tipton. 5-star guard Jordan Smith Jr. just cut his list down to six schools after receiving over 20 offers, and despite Louisville thinking they are one of his top choices, it turns out they will have to find a new top dream target.

The Cardinals recently got their hopes up when it was reported that Smith wanted to take another visit to Louisville before making his commitment decision, but it appears the road ends here for Pat Kelsey. The six programs that made the list include Kentucky, Georgetown, Arkansas, Duke, Syracuse, and Indiana.

This is the biggest gut-wrenching punch Louisville has received so far from the 2026 class, as many fans were dreaming of Tyran Stokes, Jordan Smith, and Taylen Kinney all playing together. No, the Cardinals have missed out on another top 5-star target and must continue to put all their marbles in Stokes and Kinney's baskets.

Related: Louisville’s hopes just got revived after major update on 5-star dream target

Louisville stunned after 5-star Jordan Smith Jr. cuts the Cardinals

Smith comes in ranked as a consensus 5-star recruit and is ranked as high as the No. 2 recruit in the 2026 recruiting class. Louisville was thought to be one of the top teams on his list once he visited the Cardinals in October 2024 and stated he wanted to visit Louisville once more before his big decision.

The Cardinals were given the fourth-best chances to land his commitment before this announcement, and now will have to rip this page out of the book and move on to their next option. Louisville is trending to become one of the top spots for point guard, and after learning Smith will move on without considering the Cardinals, Kelsey must get either Kinney or Deron Rippey Jr.

The Cardinals have updated both point guards' lists and are among the top contenders for both guards. Louisville has missed out on many 5-stars in this 2026 recruiting class, so it will be crucial for Kelsey to earn one of these guards' commitments to try to land Stokes and others.

Related: 3 realistic commitments that would make Louisville’s 2026 class perfect

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