Louisville basketball is only seven games into the regular season, but Pat Kelsey is already working the Transfer Portal for next year. The Cards are ranked No. 6 in the nation and are dominating the 2025-26 season, and a large part of that is the players Kelsey brought in from the portal. With Louisville losing a lot of talent this offseason and the Cardinals only earning one commitment so far, it is clear they have to dominate the portal again.
It was reported yesterday that Louisville is one of many teams already earning a visit from one of the top players in the portal, Caden Pierce. The Princeton transfer is set to visit Louisville, UConn, Gonzaga, and Duke, while also visiting Purdue this weekend.
The Cardinals battling these powerhouse programs for this elite transfer proves Kelsey is poised for another massive offseason, and it's an excellent sign for Louisville fans.
NEWS: Princeton transfer Caden Pierce, the 2023-24 Ivy League Player of the Year, is taking a visit to Purdue this weekend, source told ESPN.
— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) November 28, 2025
Pierce is scheduled to visit UConn, Duke, Louisville and Gonzaga in the coming weeks, and he also visited Grand Canyon last weekend. pic.twitter.com/O8yR1FkbyC
Related: Louisville basketball recruiting struggles will spark a huge Transfer Portal run
Louisville basketball lands visit from elite Princeton transfer
The Cards' 2026 recruiting class hasn't gone according to plan. Striking out on top targets in Tyran Stokes, Taylen Kinney, Deron Rippey Jr., Colben Landrew, and many others, it is clear that the path for a successful 2026-27 season is through the portal. Last year, Kelsey was given around $10 million to spend in the portal, and fans are hoping he has something similar to spend in 2026.
Earning a visit from Pierce is huge for Louisville as the Princeton transfer was the 2023-24 Ivy League Player of the Year after averaging 16.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 54.6 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from downtown. The 6-foot-6, 205-pound wing was also the Ivy League Rookie of the Year as a true freshman when he averaged 8.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 42.6 percent from the field.
In his most recent season, he suffered an ankle injury that led to a bit of a down season, but he still averaged 11.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. It will be a battle to earn Pierce's commitment, as they are up against giants Purdue, Duke, UConn, and Gonzaga, but Pierce is a perfect player to play under Kelsey and would fit right in with his style of play.
The Cardinals will likely see Adrian Wooley and Khani Rooths lead the way next year, and will have 2026 and G-League commit London Johnson. Pierce would be a massive addition to this squad and a huge first commitment in the 2026 Transfer Portal.