Louisville basketball is currently in the Bahamas, where the Cardinals are set to have an exhibition game next Tuesday, July 28, at 2 p.m. local time. The Cardinals' fans are excited to see this roster take the floor for the first time, as Pat Kelsey's roster looks much different this year.
The Cardinals added nine players this offseason, including six from the Transfer Portal. A lot of the attention goes to Jackson Shelstad, Karter Knox, and, of course, the 5-star transfer Flory Bidunga, but the other three transfers have the opportunity to have a major impact right away.
The Cardinals added Iowa transfer Álvaro Folgueiras, and when looking at what the power forward can bring to Louisville, his ability to space the floor and shoot stands out the most.
Alvaro Folgueiras is a key 3-point shooter for Louisville
The Cardinals addressed their major frontcourt flaw this offseason, adding Bidunga, 5-star Obinna Ekezie Jr., 7-foot-5 Gabe Dynes, and small forward Karter Knox. However, one of the Cardinals' fans' concerns is Louisville’s 3-point shooting.
We have talked a lot about 4-star freshman Boyuan Zhang and his ability to shoot the ball, but now it is time to give the Iowa transfer some spotlight. With Louisville needing a stretch four to play alongside Bidunga, Folgueiras emerged as an excellent option for the Cardinals.
Álvaro Folgueiras can really shoot the rock.
— Vince Wolfram (@vincewolfram15) July 23, 2026
The new Louisville transfer is a career 35.8% three-point shooter, and he showed that shot-making ability on the biggest stage during Iowa’s Elite Eight run in last year’s March Madness. pic.twitter.com/ebwGmQZt9T
At 6-foot-10, Folgueiras gives Louisville the height and size they need, but his ability to shoot from beyond the arc and midrange is impressive. This past season with Iowa, he made 36 3s on 33.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc, including making five 3s in the NCAA Tournament while shooting 38.5 percent from beyond the arc.
The play everyone remembers Folgueiras for is his impressive game-winner 3-pointer against Florida to move Iowa to the Sweet Sixteen. However, Folgueiras had an eye-popping postseason for the Hawkeyes, scoring 14 points in the first and second rounds and 16 points in the Sweet Sixteen.
Before his time with Iowa, Folgueiras showed his ability to space the floor and be that consistent 3-point shooter Louisville wants and needs from him, making 45 3s on 41.3 percent shooting from downtown.
The 4-star transfer played his first two years for Robert Morris, making a total of 65 3s in his first two seasons. In that special sophomore season, when he made 45 3s, Folgueiras made two or more 3s in 13 games, three or more 3s in five games, and made a career-high four 3s in one game.
He finished that sophomore year winning the 2025 Horizon League Player of the Year award after averaging 14.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.
Louisville will need him to shoot the ball as he did for Robert Morris that sophomore season, as if he can be a threat from beyond the arc, it will open the paint up for Bidunga and the guards to attack. The Cardinals need some players to step up and shoot the ball from beyond the arc, and Folgueiras is emerging as a solid option for Kelsey.
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