Category Archives: ACC Basketball
UofL Women’s Basketball Is Battling UConn For Super Talented 2019 4 Star Wing
Photo Courtesy of Dan Ricci
It’s no doubt that Louisville’s Women’s basketball program has experienced a meteoric explosion in it’s rise to national prominence. Accidentally? No. Intentionally? Hell yeah! Louisville has experienced this explosive rise because:
1. They were deliberate in hiring not a good coach; but a great one.
2. The recruitment of quality players with great basketball skills and character.
3. Getting those players with high skill sets drafted into the WNBA.
4. The consistent ability of the coaches and players to secure significant program changing wins against some of the nation’s elite teams.
2019 UofL Commit Josh Nickelberry Shows Out In Inaugural Battle For Georgia AAU Tournament
Photo Courtesy of Adidas
2019 UofL Basketball commit Josh Nickelberry led his team, Game Elite Gold, to victory in the inaugural Battle for Georgia AAU tournament. His team competed in the 17U division, which was compiled of 8 teams. The tournament was filled with AAU teams that were Georgia based.
Nickelberry showed exactly why UofL fans will love him, as the 6’4 175 lbs G exhibited his shooting prowess all weekend. He rained down threes on every opponent Game Elite Gold faced. He also displayed some of his abilities as a passer and facilitator.
The Barbour Shop: Donovan Mitchell Continues Showing He Is A Man Of The People
Photo Courtesy of the Utah Jazz
Donovan Mitchell is endearing himself to the people of Salt Lake City and to fans of all persuasions in the NBA. He flashes his charming grin and welcomes strangers almost as if they were family. I think it’s the only time in the history of man many people want to have a Spida as a houseguest.
Mitchell won over UofL fans in his two years here by playing hard on the court and being a man of the people off of it. Whenever he wasn’t busy with classes and practice, you might see him at a UofL baseball game or football game; sometimes alone, sometimes with a teammate or mates. And when he was there, he did not try to hide away beneath a disguise consisting of a lowered ball cap and sun glasses. He was visible and he was welcoming to any fan, young or old, that wished to shake his hand or take a photo with him.
Photo Courtesy of Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America
UofL Basketball Adds Walk On From Division III College In Maine
Photo Courtesy of Matt Hanna’s Twitter Account (@MHanna_22)
UofL Basketball announced another new edition to the roster today when walk on Matt Hanna was added. Hanna is a 5’9 165 lbs G that played for Division III Colby College last season. You can read all the details about UofL’s new player in the press release below.
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT:
Matt Hanna joins UofL Men’s Basketball Team
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Matt Hanna, a 5-9, 165-pound guard from Milford, Mass., who played a season at Colby College, has joined the University of Louisville men’s basketball team as a walk-on.
Hanna started 23 games last season at Colby College, an NCAA Division III school located in Waterville, Maine. He averaged 11.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and a team-leading 3.3 assists during his freshman year with the Mules and ranked second on the team with 23 steals. He will redshirt the 2018-19 season at UofL and have three years of collegiate eligibility remaining.
UofL Basketball Hosting Some Elite Talent On Campus This Week
Coach Chris Mack has some very talented 2019 and 2020 players visiting UofL this week. He’s working hard to rebuild the brand and continue the tradition of UofL bringing in high level talent.
A 5 Star and a bunch of 4 Star players will be paying or have paid visits to campus to see what UofL and Coach Mack have to offer.
Here’s a rundown of each of these players.
QUDUS WAHAB
Photo Courtesy of Jody Demling/Cardinal Authority and 247sports.com
2019 4 Star C
- Height – 6’10
- Weight – 230 lbs
- High School – Flint Hill School (Ashburn, VA) originally from Nigeria
- Offer Date – 6/23/18
- Visit Date – 6/23/18
Wahab visited UofL on June 23 and left with an offer in hand. Mike Pegues is the lead recruiter for UofL. Other schools recruiting Wahab include Syracuse, UConn, Virginia Tech, and Clemson, among others per 247sports.
Khwan Fore Is Officially In The Fold For The Cards
Photo Courtesy of Louisville Men’s Basketball Twitter Account (@LouisvilleMBB)
Back on June 2, Khwan Fore committed to UofL as a grad transfer. Fore is a G that had played for the Richmond Spiders. Now Fore is officially part of the University of Louisville basketball roster after signing his financial aid papers today.
The 6’0 175 lbs G originally committed to Tennessee as a grad transfer in May before reopening his recruitment. He averaged 11.1 points per game, 4.1 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, and 1.7 steals per game for Richmond last year.
Fore is an athletic powerful G that will provide valuable minutes, likely from the bench. His defense and experience will be relied upon by Coach Mack.
By the way, he also loves to dunk. His dunking prowess at Richmond was such that Richmond made a YouTube video studying the physics of his dunks (thanks to John Lewis of WDRB for finding this awesome video and tweeting about it). Check it out below. Lets bring back the Doctors of Dunk and the Dunking Cardinal.
A Cardinal Returns To The Nest: Akoy Agau Is Back At UofL
Photo Courtesy of scout.com and 247sports.com
A prodigal son has returned to UofL Basketball; a player long forgotten after he transferred to Georgetown. Chris Mack has brought back Akoy Agau as a grad transfer. So, Agau’s career has now come full circle and shall end where it began. This has been in the works for a few weeks.
Agau, a 6’8 230 lbs F from NE, played at UofL for 2 seasons. While he did show a little promise in very limited playing time, he never quite capitalized on it.
The inability of Agau to reach his potential likely has to do with two issues. The first is Agau having to battle Montrezl Harrell for playing time. Obviously, it was a losing battle for him competing against a future pro for playing time.
How UofL Recruiting Targets Did At NBPA Top 100 Camp
Photo Courtesy of NBPA.com
UofL basketball had one commit and several top recruiting targets participate in the annual NBPA Top 100 Camp this weekend; players UofL has been recruiting hard or that have visited campus.
We will give a run down of each player, their stats for the weekend, and each player’s best game.
*All stats courtesy of basketball.exposureevents.com or prepcircuit.com
(Click more for recruit breakdowns)
Top UofL Basketball Recruiting Target Impresses During First Day Of NBPA Top 100 Camp
Photo Courtesy of Billy Embody, 247sports.com
Day one of the annual NBPA Top 100 Camp in Charlottesville, VA wrapped up last night. 4 Star G Jahmius Ramsey, one of Coach Chris Mack’s top targets, impressed the recruiting folks at 247sports.com.
Here’s what the article had to say about Ramsey after day 1:
Coach Walz Receives Revised Contract
All Hail, Vince Tyra.
In his first year – actually first few months – the Louisville Athletic Director has secured a five star head Basketball Coach in Chris Mack, revised the contracts of both Ken Lolla and Dan McDonnell. Now, Tyra has ensured Louisville’s Jeff Walz will remain with the Cardinals.
The University of Louisville’s Athletic Association personnel committee approved a contract extension for Louisville Basketball head Coach Jeff Walz.
Two 2019 UofL Basketball Recruiting Targets Visited Campus; Jahmius Ramsey Update
Two new 2019 players are on the radar for UofL Coach Chris Mack and staff; Jason Jitoboh a C out of Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, TN and G Harlond Beverly out of Southfield Christian Academy in Southfield, MI. Beverly visited last Saturday and Jitoboh visited Thursday.
Photo Courtesy of Jason Jitoboh’s Twitter Account (@JasonJitoboh)
UofL VS WKU To Tip Off In Nashville In 2019
According to John Rothstein, Louisville and Western Kentucky will begin a four-year series at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Dec. 20, 2019.
As more details are released, Cardinal Sports Zone will have the information at your finger tips!
Cards Add Richmond Grad Transfer Khwan Fore
Instagram.com/lucky_ace2
On Saturday Afternoon, Coach Chris Mack and staff received word that Richmond grad transfer Khwan Fore will be wearing a Cardinal uniform this upcoming season.
Khwan originally committed to Tennessee in early May as a grad transfer, but has now decided to join the Cardinals instead. Fore is 6-0 guard from Huntsville, Alabama.
2019 4 Star Forward Visiting UofL
Photo Courtesy of Phenom Hoop Report Twitter Account (@Phenom_Hoops)
The day after Chris Mack landed a big time CG in Josh Nickelberry, he picks up right where he left off by getting a visit from 2019 4 Star SF Jaelyn Withers.
Withers is a 6’8 212 lbs player out of Huntersville, NC. He plays for North Mecklenburg High School and for Team Loaded NC on the AAU circuit. He averaged 11.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per game for Team Loaded NC during the 2018 Adidas Gauntlet.
UofL Basketball Gets Their First 2019 Commitment From 4 Star Guard
Photo Courtesy of David Dixon/247sports.com
The fears UofL fans have had about basketball recruiting are allayed tonight after Coach Chris Mack picked up a commitment from 2019 4 Star G Josh Nickelberry.
Nickelberry, a 6’4 175 lbs combo guard out of Northwood Temple Academy in Fayetteville, NC, is a fantastic get for Coach Mack. Nickelberry chose UofL over offers from North Carolina, NC State, Virginia Tech, Florida, and Oklahoma among many others. Coach Mike Pegues was his primary recruiter.
Louisville To Host Michigan State In 2018 ACC/Big Ten Challenge
According to John Rothstein Louisville will host Michigan State in this year’s 2018 ACC/Big Ten Challenge!
This has now become officially official as both the UofL Men’s Basketball Twitter Account and ACC Men’s Basketball Twitter Account are both confirming UofL is indeed hosting Michigan State this season for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
The game is scheduled for Tuesday 11/27 and has the potential to be a Top 25 matchup. A tip-off time and TV network have yet to be determined for the game according to UofL.
NCAA Reprimands Coach Jeff Walz
Today in laughable NCAA news: The NCAA has reprimanded Louisville head coach Jeff Walz.
According to the release, Coach Walz directed, “inappropriate and profane language,” toward committee members and NCAA staff seated at the scorers table during the loss to Mississippi State in the Final Four.
The NCAA has, “publicly reprimanded,” Coach Walz and issued a few laughable penalties. Coach Walz is suspended for the first NCAA post season game and his Final Four per diem allowance will be withheld.
Details For Tomorrow’s Athletic Equipment Sale
Photo Courtesy of UofL Equipment Twitter Account (@UofLEquipment)
UofL announced details for tomorrow’s big athletic equipment sale that is being held at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium.
The sale starts at 9 am and will be next to Central Ave and in the Bronze Lot. Sales will only be made in person.
Also released was a list of items and their cost. The most expensive items will be game jerseys for football and baseball that are priced at $50 a piece. The least expensive will be socks and hats at only $1 a piece.
2019 4 Star G Jahmius Ramsey Set To Visit UofL
Photo Courtesy of Billy Embody, 247sports.com
Chris Mack is hammering the 2019 class hard. Just last Friday he had a visit from 4 Star G Josh Nickelberry. Now, on June 2, he has a visit scheduled with another highly touted 4 Star G named Jahmius Ramsey.
Ramsey, a 6’4 180 lbs combo guard, plays for IMG Academy, but is originally from TX. He is the 3rd ranked CG and 35th ranked overall player in the 2019 class per 247sports.com.
Christen Cunningham Officially Signs With UofL
Photo Courtesy of samfordsports.com
Samford Grad Transfer Christen Cunningham is now officially a member of the University of Louisville Men’s Basketball team after signing his financial aid papers.
The 6’2 G will join Darius Perry, Ryan McMahon, and VJ King in the back court for Coach Chris Mack and the Cards. His experience and playmaking ability will be invaluable to a team needing depth at the guard position.
Press Release from the University of Louisville Athletic Department:
Christen Cunningham Joins UofL Basketball Roster
