Louisville basketball is all-hands-on-deck for the class of 2026 as they are in the running for many four and five star prospects.
Pat Kelsey is in his first season as Louisville basketball head coach, and he brought in 13 new transfers, already landed a 2026 5-star in Mikel Brown Jr, and is the favorite to land another 5-star McDonalds All-American Nate Ament.
Cardinals haven't officially signed anyone just yet, but according to On3 projections, they have great odds to land multiple future college basketball starts.
On3 predicts Louisville basketball to strike gold on 3 prospects in class of 2026
So, here are two basketball prospects that Louisville basketball is projected to land based on On3 predictions, and one prospect Cardinals fans should keep an eye on.
Tyran Stokes
Tyran Stokes in not only a unanimous 5-star prospect in the class of 2026, but he is the consensus No. 1 overall prospect on all recruiting websites.
According to On3Sports, they the Cardinals a dominant 66.8% chance to land Stokes, and the race seems to not even close, as Kentucky has the second best percentage at 1.9%. The 6-foot-7 and 230 pound forward made an official visit back in Octover of 2024, and has proven his unlimited potential abroad.
Stokes made the All-Second Team in the World Cup tournament last summer, as his seven rebounds a game was the 13th highest average, and 5.6 assists per game was third best of the tournament. Stokes also won the gold medal at the 2023 FIBA Americas U16 Championship.
Arafan Diane
Arafan Diane is a 4-star prospect out of Iowa United Prep from Des Moines, Ia. Diane is 7-foot and 280 pounds and is the top prospect out of Iowa. He has received over 15 offers, but Louisville sent their offer back in September and was one of the first to reach out to this dominant center.
Cardinals are given the best chances to land Diane, according to On3 projections, as Louisville has an 11.3% chance of landing this prodigy out of Iowa. The Center recently played for Guinea in the FIBA U17 World Cup tournament last summer and dominated all competition.
Diane averaged fourth most points per game at 19.1, and led all players in rebounds with 11.7 rebounds per game. He recorded a double-double in every game and game high in points was 28, and game high in rebounds was 18.
Cardinals fans keep a close eye on Diane, as On3 predicts Louisville to land him and this would sky rocket their title chances the following year.
Name to keep an eye on: Deron Rippey Jr.
Louisville basketball isn't predicted to land Deron Rippey Jr., but they have the third best percentage according to On3.
Rippey is a unanimous 4-star prospect out of Blair Academy from Brooklyn, N.Y., and is the No. 20 overall prospect in 2026, and the fourth points guard of the class. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound guard recently stated the Cardinals are in his top nine for most active schools, and he visited Louisville back in November.
Cardinals are given a 24.3% chance to land Rippey in On3 metrics, and are behind Rutgers and Villanova. In his sophomore campaign he averaged 14 points, 5.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game.
For all Louisville basketball recruiting news and updates, be sure to stay tuned.