LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It might be the 1st 7 days of May well, but it really is in no way too early to consider a glimpse into the potential and glance at how the 2022-23 roster for the Louisville men’s basketball application could shake out.
When there are still quite a few roster spots still left to fill, the Cardinals are setting up to get some notion as to what Staff 109 will seem like when they lace ’em up for the first time.
Departures and Arrivals
Louisville has witnessed 8 gamers depart the method this offseason. Malik Williams, Mason Faulkner and Jarrod West all graduated, when Gabe Wizntizer, Samuell Williamson, Matt Cross, Noah Locke and Dre Davis all entered the transfer portal.
But, the system also got affirmation from six gamers that they would returning for following year. Sydney Curry, El Ellis, Mike James, Jae’Lyn Withers, J.J. Traynor and Roosevelt Wheeler all introduced that they would arrive back and enjoy for very first-12 months head mentor Kenny Payne.
Talking of Payne, just after about a thirty day period on the job, he finally landed his 1st commitments at his alma mater. Former Tennessee ahead Brandon Huntley-Hatfield was the first to join the fold, adopted by Class of 2022 prospect Devin Ree not prolonged after.
That’s not the only fantastic recruiting news that the plan has viewed in the latest times. Soon after becoming fully commited for 4 months and hinting a lot of occasions that he desires to stay with the program, ’22 prospect Kamari Lands lastly signed his National Letter of Intent.
Projected Depth Chart
Supplied all that we know now about the latest condition of Louisville’s roster, beneath is an early search into what the depth chart following calendar year could seem like:
| Stage Guard | Capturing Guard | Compact Forward | Power Forward | Centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
El Ellis |
Kamari Lands |
Brandon Huntley-Hatfield |
Sydney Curry |
|
|
Mike James |
Jae’Lyn Withers |
Roosevelt Wheeler |
||
|
Devin Ree |
J.J. Traynor |
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El Ellis’ return to Louisville is a enormous get for Payne. Although his 2021-22 marketing campaign definitely had its up’s and downs, the JUCO transfer exhibited great potential on many occasions. He finished as Louisville’s third-leading scorer, and also their major a few-point shooter from a share standpoint. But taking into consideration there are no other primarily ball handlers currently on the roster, Louisville will will need to strike this situation big time among the remaining ’22 prospective customers and the transfer portal.
Louisville will also need to choose a powerful search at taking pictures guard potential clients. With Noah Locke coming into the portal, there are no remaining taking pictures/scoring guards, and Ellis is now the only legitimate guard on the roster. Mike James can slide about and enjoy the two if want be, but he is coming off of an Achilles harm.
The wing for Louisville will seem absolutely various than it did last year, and it truly is the youngest placement on the staff. Kamari Lands is a starting sound possibility, but Mike James could see significant minutes if he is entirely healthier. With James probable going to see split reps concerning the two and the a few (all based on what remaining guards UofL brings in), Ree will be Louisville’s correct backup wing. All-in-all, there is a ton of length and capturing probable listed here.
Speaking of possible, there is hundreds of it at the electric power ahead. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield obtained progressively much better about the study course of his freshman calendar year, and his toughness and versatility could vault him into an early starting role. Withers mostly struggled this past year, but was capable to transform in on over the closing thirty day period and look like the pseudo-NBA prospect lots of expected him to be. J.J. Traynor was a no-present for virtually the full yr many thanks to setbacks past offseason, but operating with Payne really should be good for him.
The Cardinals also glimpse promising at centre as nicely. Sydney Curry looked borderline unstoppable on offense above the ultimate thirty day period of the year, but will have to considerably operate on his defense. Roosevelt Wheeler also experienced flashes of probable, but acquired dropped in the massive guy shuffle at the rear of Curry, Withers and Williams. Louisville will require to include a further major, but with Payne’s standing as a stellar write-up player developer, there is a lot to be psyched about in the paint.
(Photo of El Ellis: Jamie Rhodes – United states Now Athletics)
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