Louisville basketball received big-time news Thursday as they learned they are taking a massive step in the right direction for one of the top centers in the 2026 recruiting cycle. Pat Kelsey is trying to make the Cardinals PGU and is trending for 5-stars like Taylen Kinney and Deron Rippey Jr., but with Kasean Pryor and Aly Khalifa entering their last season, it appears Kelsey is trying to find an elite replacement.
Kelsey and his staff are in a crucial recruiting season right now as many 2026 recruits will like to commit over the next couple of months before their 2025-26 senior season starts. A name that Louisville fans should begin to get familiar with at the top of their list is 4-star center Josh Irving.
The 6-foot-10, 200-pound center has received over 15 offers, including one from Louisville just last month. Well, the elite big man quickly decided to schedule an official visit to the Cardinals next month, as Irving will now visit Louisville on September 19, per Brandon Jenkins.
๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ: Josh Irving, the No. 101 overall recruit in the national 2026 class, has scheduled the following official visits - per his agent Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports & Entertainment:
โ Brandon Jenkins (@BJenkins247) July 31, 2025
๐๐๐ https://t.co/fKPAl9bssP pic.twitter.com/ZNP8w5QPAl
Related: Pat Kelsey just got one step closer to landing Louisvilleโs 5-star dream target
Louisville basketball one step closer to landing 4-star Josh Irving
The 4-star center continues to trend up in the 2026 recruiting class as he ranks as high as No. 44 in the cycle, and the No. 6 best center. The Cardinals are hoping to continue the trend in the right direction for this talented center, as he appears to be one of the top rim protectors and lob threats in this talented class.
The Cardinals will lose crucial pieces after this season in Pryor and Khalifa. While they will have key players like Sananda Fru and Khani Rooths on the team, it is essential to try to acquire an elite traditional center that Kelsey can develop into a dominant force.
Irving has shown improvements in his jump shot and from beyond the arc, while his athleticism is jaw-dropping. He fits Kelsey's style of play perfectly and is exactly who Kelsey likes to have at the center position.
It is going to be a recruiting battle as he also has recruiting visits lined up with San Diego State, SMU, Kansas, Texas A&M, Kentucky, and USC. Louisville has yet to earn that first 2026 commitment, and Kelsey is trying to get that first domino to fall his way so that the floodgates open up and many more start committing.
Irving setting a visit is a good sign that Louisville is one of his top choices, and this next month will be crucial to keep building this relationship if they want to earn his commitment.
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For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.