J'Vonne Hadley is expected to be a crucial player for Pat Kelsey next season and is one of the biggest names to return to Louisville basketball. Hadley was one of the 11 transfers from the 2024 Transfer Portal, and he quickly found his new home and made a name for himself while playing under Kelsey.
Once Louisville earned commitments from Adrian Wooley, Isaac McKneely, and Ryan Conwell, fans and the staff were on edge about whether Hadley would return to Louisville. However, he announced he was going to return, and the fans and program erupted with joy and excitement.
Hadley is a player who will be a key reason the Cardinals can make a run for the ACC Title and the NCAA Title. Kelsey talked about why his return is so "huge" for Louisville and what he expects from the fifth-year senior in year two with Louisville.
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Hadley is coming off his best collegiate basketball season, averaging 12.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from three-point range in his first year with Louisville. The 6-foot-6 215 215-pound forward transferred in as a shooting guard, but after Louisville got crushed by the injury bug, he bounced around between small forward and power forward.
He led the team in total rebounds with 256 and rebounds per game as well. When Kelsey was asked last Wednesday at his press conference how important it is that Hadley return, he stated that it is "huge."
"Huge. He truly embodies what we are about," Kelsey stated. "We talk about wanting the smoke in scheduling, J'Vonne wants the smoke in the biggest games and the biggest moments. Like he doesn't blink."
Hadley is a matchup nightmare for opponents. At 6-foot-6, he is a player who posts up guards or small forwards who try to guard him, and backs his defender down and either finishes through contact at the rim or has the court vision to dish it off to a cutting player. Sometimes teams try toto put taller and bigger defenders on him, but Hadley is quick, like a guard, and drives by the taller defenders off the dribble.
Kelsey loves to use Hadley in pick-and-roll situations because it is uncommon to have a power forward with the ball in their hand in pick-and-rolls. However, Hadley has the skills and court vision to handle the ball in those styles of plays or to grab a rebound and push the ball up the floor.
Hadley is an elite 3-and-D player as last season he made 32 3-pointers on 38.1 percent which was the best in his four seasons. He is an elite defender whom Kelsey trusts to guard any position on the floor and knows he will never back down from anyone.
One of the biggest things Hadley brings back that Kelsey alluded to in his press conference is his veteran leadership. Having players who are familiar with the culture and Kelsey's style of play is crucial, and that is why Hadley's return is extremely helpful in gaining chemistry for the new players.
It is uncertain whether Hadley will start or come off the bench at this point, but regardless of his role or position in the lineup, Kelsey and Louisville fans know Hadley will give his 110 percent on the floor and be a significant piece in Kelsey's rotation.
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For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason, stay tuned.