Zougris’ commitment makes Louisville basketball’s next move clear as day

The Louisville Cardinals earned their fourth commitment from the 2025 class as Evangelos Zougris committed to Pat Kelsey and Louisville basketball early Thursday afternoon. The newest Cardinal will provide much-needed depth in the power forward position and can also help out at center if needed.

The 6-foot-8 250, 250-pound forward has the skills and ability to bounce between forward and center, but the 20-year-old is more comfortable at the power forward position. Zougris joining Louisville makes it clear that the Cardinals will move some pieces around next year, but it also shows that the Cardinals are putting all their marbles in a basket that is out of their hands.

The Cardinals earned a commitment from Zougris, revealing Kelsey's hidden blueprint and that Louisville is heavily relying on 6-foot-11 Aly Khalifa to be available next season.

Zougris’ commitment makes Louisville basketball’s next move clear as day

Entering Thursday, the Cardinals' depth chart at the center position was thin, as the Cardinals only have Sananda Fru and possibly Kasean Pryor if Kelsey is comfortable running him at the five. The Cardinals were able to land an elite international star in Zougris, but the Cardinals' concern at center still lingers.

Louisville's No. 1 offseason goal remains clear, and that's to win the appeal and hope the NCAA overturns its initial ruling that Aly Khalifa is ineligible. The BYU transfer missed all of last season with a knee injury but was on pace to be a crucial piece for Kelsey's Cardinals next season. Khalifa lost over 50 pounds in the offseason, and it was clear he was ready to rock and roll in the 2025-26 season.

However, the worst part of all this is that it is beyond Louisville's control. Louisville appealed the decision and now must wait to hear back from the NCAA.

Khalifa is the perfect player for this Cardinals roster. The 6-foot-11 center started his career at Charlotte, where he earned the Conference USA Rookie of the Year after averaging 7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while shooting 47.1 percent from the floor. His sophomore campaign was even better after he averaged 11.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Louisville currently has a glaring hole at the center spot, and Khalifa is the perfect fit. His ability to spread the floor out and knock down jumpers, while also finishing at the rim and passing at an elite rate. Zougris can play center, but at 6-foot-8, he is well undersized, making it clear that the Cardinals are all-in on Khalifa and are praying the NCAA overturns their decision.

So, the Cardinals' next move is to remain patient and wait for the NCAA's ruling. Louisville's roster boasts the fifth-best odds to win the 2026 National Championship, and if Khalifa is ruled eligible, then this roster will gain much-needed depth and height at the center position.

However, if Louisville finds out that the NCAA doesn't overturn the appeal, then they must go after a 7-foot center from the portal or overseas and address this glaring hole. The Cardinals fans hope it is Khalifa who is in that center room, but it is crystal clear that Louisville's next move is to either attack the center position or to rejoice that Khalifa is eligible.

For all the latest on Louisville basketball's offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.