Cards Owning Transfer Portal As Virginia Transfer Isaac McKneely Joins The Fold

When it comes to the 2025 edition of the transfer portal, it’s coming up Aces for the Louisville men’s basketball program and Coach Pat Kelsey. After landing 2 incredibly talented and highly rated guards in Adrian Wooley and Ryan Conwell, they dipped once more into the portal and landed one of the best pure shooters in it, Isaac McKneely. McKneely should be familiar to Louisville fans as he played previously at the University of Virginia.

McKneely is a 6’4 179 lbs guard that averaged 11.1 points per game, 2.6 rebounds per game, and 1.7 assists per game in his 3 years in Charlottesville. He did this as a career 42.2-percent 3-point shooter while shooting 42.4-percent overall from the field. Last season was his best, as he averaged 14.4 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game, and 2.9 assists per game.

Louisville is getting one of the best pure shooters in the portal with Isaac McKneely. He’s a guy that can get to the rim and hit tough runners and jumpers, but he excels as a spot-up 3-point shooter. McKneely understands how to space the floor and move without the ball in his hands, utilizing off-ball screens and cuts to find his spots. He’s frequently getting open and knocking down the open shot. However, he doesn’t need much room as he has good elevation and a quick release on his shot. While a great spot-up shooter, McKneely isn’t just relegated to that role. He can make threes off the bounce, pulling up out of rhythm dribbles or using a ball screen to get a little daylight and launch the shot.

Isaac McKneely gives Coach Kelsey a plethora of options in the backcourt. It also gives the Cardinals excellent depth in their backcourt where they had none this past season. There’s opportunities for Coach Kelsey to use a 3-guard lineup. McKneely can fit nicely into the role Reyne Smith occupied this past season. However, he’s a little stronger and is a better ball handler which will allow McKneely to be a big focal point of the offense. This portal class, especially with Isaac McKneely’s commitment, will allow Coach Kelsey to really go pedal-to-the-medal with his offense and defense. This 2025-2026 Cardinal team is shaping up to be a true monster.

stats courtesy of Sports-Reference