Louisville basketball fans lost two players to the Transfer Portal last season, as the Cardinals lost their starting center, James Scott, and backup guard Koren Johnson. Both players ended up staying together and transferred to Ole Miss after the 2024-25 season, and recently, they made their debut for the Rebels.
Ole Miss defeated the Southeastern Louisiana Lions 88-58, and Rebels fans quickly saw what made Scott special as he was a force on the glass and was an elite rim protector all night long. Scott was one of the Cards' favorite players last year for his ability to protect the rim, but now Ole Miss is quickly seeing why he is a fun player to have on their team.
Related: Louisville nation crushed after losing 4-star center to the transfer portal
Ole Miss fans quickly learn what Louisville fans loved about James Scott
Scott started for the Rebels and earned 23 minutes in his debut. He ended the night with six points, nine rebounds, three blocks, and one assist, while going 3-for-3 from the floor. What makes Scott so special isn't his ability to score, but his ability to dominate the glass on both ends, protect the rim defensively, and be an elite lob threat.
The Rebels fans saw him slam two dunks in his first game for Ole Miss, which Louisville fans know very well about. Scott finished last year with the fourth most dunks in the nation with 79, and through his first game, he is showing what he will bring to the table.
The 6-foot-10, 225-pound forward averaged 7.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game last season for the Cardinals, and after his debut with the Rebels, it is clear he is going to carry that elite paint presence he had with Louisville to Ole Miss this season.
Ole Miss made it to the Sweet 16 last season after defeating North Carolina and Iowa State in the first two rounds. Now, with similar expectations, Scott looks to bring elite athleticism and a dominant force in the paint to Ole Miss, aiming to help the Rebels return to the Sweet 16.
Louisville will return to action tomorrow night against Jackson State at 5 p.m. local time from KFC Yum! Center.