The Louisville basketball team officially inked Isaac McKneely last week, and the Cardinals are thrilled to have this elite 3-point specialist on their team. The Cardinals' massive offseason skyrocketed this team to be one of the nation's favorites to win the 2026 National Championship.
The Virginia transfer is one glaring signee who helped skyrocket the Cardinals' chances. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard is one of the best shooters in the country; last season, he made 101 3-pointers on an elite shooting split of 42.1 percent.
McKneely will now be part of one of the best shooting teams in the nation. Louisville has formed one of the best backcourts with Mikel Brown Jr., Adrian Wooley, Ryan Conwell, and now McKneely. Kelsey showed in the portal that he wanted some elite playmakers to fix their shooting concerns, as he went out and got three of the best 3-point shooters in the nation.
The University of Louisville recently released a statement about McKneely's signing, which included Kelsey's first statement about what McKneely will bring to this Cardinals squad.
Pat Kelsey reveals how Isaac McKneely will elevate Louisville basketball
The Cardinals swiped this 4-star transfer from their fellow ACC member, the Virginia Cavaliers. Last season, McKneely demonstrated his capability to catch fire and take over games. He scored 20 points or more in eight games, including two 27-point performances against Florida State and Georgia Tech.
He would average 14.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game. In addition, he averaged 3.5 3-pointers per game while shooting 42.1 percent from the 3-point line. McKneely was a sniper from downtown for the Cavaliers as he made the fifth most 3-pointers of all-time at the University of Virginia with 233 threes.
"As a head coach, there are guys on every team you lose sleep over during preparation and scouting of the opposing team, and Isaac McKneely was 1000% one of those guys both times we played him this year," Kelsey stated in the Louisville basketball official statement. "One of his special gifts as a player is his ability to make shots, but his basketball IQ, athleticism, ability to pass and competitive nature are all strengths."
McKneely is a consensus top-20 player in the transfer portal, and when he committed to Louisville, he was ranked as high as the No. 9 player. The Cardinals' new sharpshooter led the ACC in 3-point percentage last season and earned All-ACC Honorable Mention.
Related: 5 key reasons Isaac McKneely committed to the Louisville Cardinals over Tennessee
The Cardinals needed an elite 3-point specialist, and McKneely was a match made in heaven. He connected on three or more 3-pointers in 12 games last season, including three games with six 3-pointers and one game with seven made 3-pointers. McKneely and the Cardinals are going to be a perfect fit, and he instantly elevated them to National Championship contenders
For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason, stay tuned.