Fall is almost here, which means Louisville basketball isn’t as far as some may think. The Cardinals recently released their full non-conference schedule, which includes an exhibition game against Kansas in Lawrence on October 21, followed by their first official game of the 2026-27 season against Chattanooga on Monday, November 2.
Louisville already played its first exhibition game this offseason in the Bahamas, when the Cardinals headed there in July and defeated the Bahamas Raw Talent 101-52. There were a few things that stood out about that exhibition game, like Flory Bidunga, who finished with 18 points after shooting 7-of-9 from the field, while also adding 10 rebounds, six blocks, and four assists.
Another major story was that two key newcomers to Pat Kelsey’s roster, Karter Knox and Obinna Ekezie Jr., did not play in that July game. Now, as the season quickly approaches, Louisville fans hope the two forwards are getting healthier and will be ready for the season, and Kelsey just provided his first update on both since they missed the game.
Louisville fans get an injury update on Karter Knox and Obinna Ekezie Jr.
Kelsey recently went on Jon Rothstein’s college basketball podcast. When asked about his excitement surrounding Ekezie, he gave Cardinals fans a great update on Knox and Ekezie, saying both are progressing and ahead of schedule.
"I'm fired up about Obi. He and Karter are coming off offseason injuries. They both had surgeries," stated Kelsey on the podcast. "They've progressed, rehabbed, developed. They're ahead of schedule and have done an unbelievable job of that."
This is excellent to hear, as Louisville is less than two months away from that Kansas exhibition game. Louisville lost nine of their top 10 players from the past season, including all five starters. Kelsey had a crazy-busy offseason and was very active in recruiting from the 2026 recruiting class and the Transfer Portal.
Ekezie was a 5-star recruit in the 2027 recruiting class who ranked as high as No. 2 overall in the nation. He then committed to Louisville and reclassified to the 2026 class, ultimately joining the Cardinals for this upcoming season. He ranked as high as No. 14 in the nation and the No. 1 center.
As for Knox, he was one of the Cardinals' big-time gets from the Transfer Portal. He played his first two years at Arkansas after committing to the Razorbacks as a 5-star recruit out of high school. Now, he brings something Louisville has desperately needed: an athletic wing who can not only score but also defend physically.
There is a lot to be excited about in this frontcourt this upcoming season, and with the injury update on Knox and Ekezie, it certainly sounds like they are trending in the right direction. The two newcomers are reportedly ahead of schedule, and with plenty of time before the first official game, there is hope that Knox and Ekezie will suit up against Chattanooga.
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