Category Archives: Basketball Recruiting
Robbie Valentine Stopped In On Middays With Marques Maybin
Photo Courtesy of KFCYumCenter.com
Robbie Valentine was on air with Marques Maybin and Steve Rummage for the Tuesday May 15th edition of Middays with Marques Maybin. They discussed everything from Robbie’s upcoming 33rd (!) annual basketball camps to the type of recruits coach Mack has been bringing in. They also discussed the incredible Donovan Mitchell and the impact he has had on the Louisville and Utah communities thus far. Take a listen below!
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
2019 4 Star NC Guard Set To Visit UofL
Photo Courtesy of David Dixon/247sports.com
2019 4 Star G Josh Nickelberry out of Northwood Temple Academy in Fayetteville, NC is visiting UofL on Friday per Evan Daniels. It is an unofficial visit.
Nickelberry is a 6’4 175 lbs SG with offers from UNC, NC State, Florida, Baylor, Florida State, Auburn, Xavier, Georgetown, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and many others. He is ranked as the 53rd best player in the 2019 class by 247sports.com.
UofL Basketball Picks Up Commitment From Samford Grad Transfer
Photo Courtesy of samfordsports.com
UofL Basketball picked up a commitment today. It’s been a long time since that sentence has been written and it feels glorious. The committed player is 6’2 Grad Transfer PG Christen Cunningham out of Samford University.
Cunningham is actually from Georgetown, KY. He attended Henry Clay High School in Lexington and played for former UofL player Ellis Myles on his Louisville Magic AAU team. While at Samford, Cunningham was coached by Scott Padgett who is from Louisville and played under Pitino at that school down the road.
At Samford, Cunningham was a true PG. He was an excellent ball handler and floor leader with a physical style of play. Cunningham showed the ability to get to the rack and finish through contact. He has a nice midrange and 3 point shot. Where Cunningham truly shines, however, is his passing ability. He makes really nifty passes and his court vision allows him to see guys before they are open.
No Cancellation This Time As 2018 G Courtney Ramey Visits UofL Today
Photo Courtesy of rivals.com
Missouri G Courtney Ramey, one of the highest rated unsigned players left in the 2018 class, is scheduled to make a visit to the University of Louisville today.
UofL Is Reentering 2018 G Courtney Ramey’s Recruitment
Photo Courtesy of rivals.com
It was about a week ago that UofL Head Coach Chris Mack announced that UofL was no longer recruiting 2018 4 Star PG and former UofL commit Courtney Ramey.
Many UofL media and fans were caught off guard that Mack mentioned a recruit by name and thought that definitively ended UofL’s pursuit of Ramey.
Jordan Nwora Will Return For His Sophomore Season
After last week’s introductory press conference of Chris Mack, Jordan Nwora told the media that he wanted to stay at the University of Louisville. He just needed to talk to Coach Mack by himself and have Coach Mack talk to his parents. He wanted to start building that trust. After things have started to settle down, Jordan’s dad did confirm that he will return next season. According to Jeff Greer, Jordan Nwora reached double digits in scoring 9 times this season, that is a number that is sure to increase next season as he will more than likely become a key player on the UofL roster.
ACC Men’s Basketball Coaches Teleconference
Yesterday, all the head coaches of the men’s basketball teams of the ACC partook in a teleconference. You can hear what everyone had to say below thanks to our friends at the ACC Digital Network.
If you only have time to catch what David Padgett says, he comes on about the 1:22 mark.
Jeff Walz Picks Up A Commitment From Highly Touted CA Forward
Photo Courtesy of USA Basketball (usab.com)
UofL Women’s Basketball Coach Jeff Walz picked up a huge commitment yesterday from 2019 prospect Ramani Parker.
Parker is a 6’4 F/C from Central High School in Fresno, CA. She is ranked the 11th best F in the nation and is ranked 58th overall prospect in ESPN/HoopGurlz Super 60 rankings. She had offers from Notre Dame, Stanford, UCLA, and Duke, among others.
CSZ Recruiting Contributor/Evaluator Sam Basden had this to say about Parker after watching her highlights:
“She is a great shot blocker, really nice anticipation. (She) Can make the outlet passes to start breaks.”
“She can definitely be used as a stretch big, good lateral quickness for her size.”
“She’s also a quick second leaper.”
“(Parker) Does a great job of keeping the ball high so shorter defenders can’t get to it.”
I watched some of her highlights as well and I’ll add a couple of things to Sam’s observations:
Parker seems to be a really good shooter with a pure stroke, a tough rebounder, and good finisher down low. She also has pretty good ball handling skills. Parker reminds me a lot of current Card Myisha Hines-Allen.
All in all, Walz found another gem and continues to recruit at insane levels.
Check out some of Parker’s highlights below from Hudl.
Louisville at Florida State: Cardinals Earn First Big Win
Despite trailing by 13 points at halftime the Louisville Cardinals found a way to leave Tallahassee with a much-needed and well deserved ranked road win. Louisville fought the whole second half and continually chipped away at the Seminoles’ lead. Late in the game, the Cardinals scored to take their first lead and never looked back en route to a 73-69 win.
Louisville was led by Deng Adel with 16 points. In my opinion, it was the best game Adel has played all season and looked the leader this team needs him to be. Ray Spalding continued his good play with 15 points. Ryan McMahon was the spark the Cardinals needed, big props to Padgett for subbing him in late for VJ King. McMahon hit some huge threes down the stretch, including the two free throws that iced the game, he finished with 11 points. Anas Mahmoud came up huge for the Cards, specifically on the defensive end. He caught a monster alley-oop and had some big time blocks in the final moments.
This was the win Louisville needed, and needed badly. Padgett did a great job keeping his team focused on the game and staying resilient. This one was big people. The Cards host Virginia Tech on Saturday at 4pm on ESPN2.
Go Cards!
Beat The Buzzer: VJ King
UofL athletics sat down with VJ King to find out a little more about the sophomore. What is the best advice he has ever received? Who is his celebrity crush? What would he name his Derby horse? Find out the answer to these and so much more below!
Kyle’s Korner For Kids Game Announced
Photo: straitpinkie.com
Press release from the University of Louisville athletic department:
Toy Collection Planned for Dec. 11 Men’s Basketball Game
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — New toys will be collected and subsequently donated to Norton’s Children’s Hospital prior to the Cardinals’ Dec. 11 men’s basketball game against Bryant. New toys for any age or gender will be collected at the entrance of the KFC Yum! Center. A group of the toys will also be provided to the Home of the Innocents and Wesley House.
UofL Appeals NCAA Infraction’s Ruling
In the latest chapter of the Katina Powell saga, UofL has filed its official appeal against the NCAA Committee of Infractions ruling from June. The Courier Journal received these files through a public records request. UofL deems the ruling excessive especially since none of the players on the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 teams received the “benefits” Katina Powell claimed.
Men’s Basketball AP Poll 11-20-17
Once again, the Cardinals fall one spot in this week’s AP poll. Duke continues to hold onto the top spot with Arizona and Kansas rounding out the top 3. Any surprises to you in this week’s poll?
Where Does Donovan Mitchell Rank In The Rookie Class (So Far)
Donovan Spida Mitchell. He is one of the most beloved cardinals to wear the uniform in recent years, and rightfully so. He has been off to a great start in his professional career and just recently came through with a promise he made to his mom to buy her a new car. Andrew Sharp with Sports Illustrated ranks the top 15 in the rookie class based on the first month’s performance, and Donovan is getting the recognition he deserves.
David Padgett Working To Right The Ship In Recruiting: Former Commits Still Considering
Despite a future clouded by the possibility of NCAA investigation and the uncertainty of his own job status after the season, David Padgett is trying to salvage UofL Basketball’s recruiting classes for 2018 and beyond. It may be an uphill battle, but there are two highly thought of former commits still interested in the Cards.
Beat The Buzzer: Steven Enoch
The UofL athletic department sat down with UofL transfer, Steven Enoch on this week’s Beat the Buzzer. He talks about the best advice he has ever received, who is the most serious among his teammates and what his Kentucky Derby horse would be named, along with so much more!
UofL Men’s Basketball Veterans Lead Through Adversity
When Quentin Snider, Anas Mahmoud and Deng Adel committed to play basketball at the University of Louisville, they never could have guessed the obstacles they would be facing. They have played through the Katina Powell scandal and now the FBI one. They never let it bring them down though, they have been the solid foundation that the freshman and sophomores have needed. Jeff Borzello with ESPN.COM talks about how vital the upperclassman have been.
How Is Padgett Adjusting To The New Normal
Jeff Greer with the Courier Journal recently sat down with interim head coach, David Padgett for 30 minutes, and got the inside scoop on how he is adjusting. They talked about everything from recruiting to adjusting to the size of his new office (hint, it is huge).
