Louisville basketball’s season came to an end Saturday afternoon after the Cardinals lost to Michigan State in the Round of 32. With the Cardinals out of the NCAA Tournament, the focus quickly turns to the Transfer Portal. Louisville will lose many key players this offseason, forcing Pat Kelsey to hit the portal hard once again.
5 Louisville basketball players who definitely won’t be back for the 2026-27 season
Pat Kelsey has struck gold with the portal every season so far; in his first year, he brought in 11 new players, which led to the ReviVille. And last year, he had a top 10 Transfer Portal class after landing 4-star guards in Ryan Conwell and Isaac McKneely and 5-star guard in Adrian Wooley.
With Louisville needing an elite center who can protect the rim and play physical basketball, Kelsey should be all over Chol Machot.
Charleston big man Chol Machot intends on entering the transfer portal.
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) March 18, 2026
The 7-footer averaged 2.5 blocks per game and was named CAA Defensive Player of the Year. pic.twitter.com/9WSKaAUplV
Louisville basketball has an obvious transfer portal target at center
The names are slowly beginning to enter the Transfer Portal, but right now, Kelsey should be hitting up the Charleston transfer. With Kelsey coaching at Charleston from 2021 to 2024, Louisville should be trying to use its connections to do whatever it takes to be at the top of Machot’s list.
The Cardinals have to address their frontcourt, and with Machot being an elite defender, Louisville should be all-in on the 4-star transfer. The 7-foot center ranks No. 2 in the portal as of Sunday afternoon, and is the No. 1 center.
Last season with the Cougars, he earned CAA Defensive Player of the Year after averaging 2.5 blocks per game and finishing No. 10 in Division 1 in total blocks with 79. His 2.5 blocks per game ranked No. 9 in Division I.
On top of his dominant defensive stats, he added 8.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game while shooting 59.2 percent from the field. Before Charleston, he averaged 11.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game at Florida SouthWestern State. In his single season with Florida SouthWestern State, he made the All-Citrus first-team and set the school's record for most blocks in a single season with 70.
The Cardinals need a 7-foot presence at the rim, and with Kelsey coaching at Charleston, hopefully, Louisville can find a way to be a serious contender for this elite 4-star transfer. The Transfer Portal officially opens on April 7 and will remain open until April 21.
Related:Â 3 players Pat Kelsey and Louisville basketball must bring back next season
For all the latest news and updates on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.