Louisville basketball had a massive offseason for the second straight year, as Pat Kelsey landed some of the best players who entered the transfer portal. The Cardinals exited the NCAA Tournament after just the first round, falling to Creghton 89-75, prompting Kelsey to go straight into recruit mode for the 2025-26 season.
After getting knocked out of March Madness, Kelsey immediately rebuilt his Cardinals squad to elevate them to the National Championship level. Louisville lost its top three scorers from the previous season and had a lot to do if it wanted to reach that elite level.
The Cardinals went on to add three of the top 23 transfers: 5-star Adrian Wooley and two 4-stars, Isaac McKneely and Ryan Conwell. These three transfers are the only players to transfer into Louisville this offseason so far, making the Cardinals ranked in the top five in highest-quality transfers on average, per Evan Miyakawa.
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Louisville basketball earns elite ranking for transfer portal quality
The Cards' are ranked No. 3 in Miyakawa's rankings for quality over quantity. Louisville has had one of the best offseasons in college basketball, as 247Sports ranked it as high as No. 3 in the nation for its additions.
Last season, Louisville added 11 players from the transfer portal, but none were five-stars, and only four were four-stars. The Cardinals this year went the quality over quantity route, as Kelsey landed more 5-stars, only two fewer 4-stars, and eight fewer transfers.
Here are the teams this offseason that are bringing in the highest quality transfers on average, per https://t.co/cegyfz8ykZ.
— Evan Miyakawa (@EvanMiya) May 9, 2025
Getting quality in the transfer portal matters just as much as quantity. pic.twitter.com/PfxkpvZ1c8
Wooley is ranked the highest of their three transfers. The Kennesaw State transfer is ranked as the ninth-best player to enter the transfer portal and the best incoming transfer in the ACC. Louisville's transfer portal class will look to elevate this program to the next level, as the Cardinals have the sixth-best odds to win the National Championship.
The Cardinals are only behind Michigan and UConn in Miyakawa rankings and are the only ACC team in the top 10. Kelsey made a massive statement this offseason, as Louisville is back at the top of College Basketball.
Kelsey's decision to prioritize quality over quantity was crucial. It allowed him to bring back elite players from last season, elevating this Cardinals team's hopes of securing their first national Championship since 2013.
Related: Louisville basketball dominates ACC transfer portal rankings in offseason surge
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason, stay tuned.