The Cardinals are welcoming 13 new players for their 2024-25 roster
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – 63 days after Pat Kelsey was hired to be the head coach of the Louisville men’s basketball program, his first team is now official.
Following Kelsey’s hiring on March 28, the Cardinals formally signed all 13 of the newcomers who had committed to Louisville earlier this week. After previous head coach Kenny Payne was fired, the 12 scholarship players from the 2023–24 squad entered the portal, indicating that the former College of Charleston coach had a questionable roster development project.
For his first squad at Louisville, Kelsey is bringing in a total of 12 Division I transfers and one high school prospect. This week, as each player was formally revealed, Kelsey made remarks about each recruit, which were his first roster-specific remarks in public.
Here’s what Kelsey had to say about each of his new players:
Guard Reyne Smith
“One of the best shooters in the world at his age, Reyne is battle tested and brings an invaluable level of stability to the program. He’s an established producer over 102 games at the Division I level and represents his home country of Australia at the highest level of global competition. Reyne lives and breathes our culture. His toughness and consistency were cornerstones of what we built in Charleston. He’ll embody what it means to be a Louisville basketball player.”
Center James Scott
“James Scott reminds me of a young Marcus Camby. He’s earned a reputation as one of the premier lob-threats in the NCAA. James played last season as the third youngest player in the country but has a level of maturity that exceeds his age. On the defensive end, he’s extremely versatile and can guard every position. One of my favorite aspects of his game is his extremely underrated passing ability. His basketball IQ is exceptional, and his future is extraordinarily bright.”
Guard/Forward Terrence Edwards Jr.
“‘Fatt’ is the purest form of competitor. For someone who has accumulated a bevy of individual accolades, his sole focus is the team winning, and his teams have won at every level. He’s a Swiss-army knife on the court and impacts the game in numerous ways. One of the greatest testaments that I can make is that he’s a ‘dog’. He brings a wealth of experience, winning and toughness that will be cherished in The Ville.”
Guard J’Vonne Hadley
“Among the players in this year’s portal class, J’Vonne is the most dependable. He is a tenacious defender whose whole skill set has advanced remarkably quickly over his career. J’Vonne has a very diligent work ethic. He played nearly every minute of the three tournament games and was a key member of a team that progressed to the NCAA tournament. He’s a mature man who arrives at The Ville hungry to succeed and with a chip on his shoulder.
Center Aly Khalifa
“Aly is one of the best passing big men in all of basketball. His assist to turnover ratio is astonishingly positive. He plays the game with a level of intelligence and creativity that is rare to see. He’s a high IQ player that has been well coached throughout his basketball career. Aly’s unselfishness and passion for helping others extends off the court as well. He has a fantastic heart and a great way about him.”
Guard Koren Johnson
“Koren is an electric athlete. A natural scorer, he also has the ability to alter the game in a flash with his defensive instincts. He can take over a game on any given night and can do so in a variety of ways. Highly respected by the coaches of the Pac-12, he was deservedly named conference 6th Man of the Year.”
Forward Aboubacar Traore
“One of the top rebounders in the nation is coming to us. Not so quietly, “Kader” is among the most productive college basketball players. Whether it’s facing intense foreign competition or leading his former team to an unlikely NCAA Tournament run, he has proven to be a strong performer under pressure. What really sets Kader apart is his adaptability. He has an excellent feel for the game and is strong enough to guard a five while still being athletic enough to stop a point guard.”
Guard Chucky Hepburn
“Chucky is a victor who has made starts in each of his 103 college games. Having participated in the postseason in each of his three college seasons, he has a wealth of big game experience. A real point guard who, when on the court, is an extension of the head coach and has an impact on the game on both ends of the court. He is regarded as one of the top on-ball defenders in the nation by coaches. Because of his background and expertise, Chucky will be a crucial member of our team.
Guard Kobe Rodgers
“Kobe Rodgers has been a winning player at every level. Every championship team has guys with Kobe’s character in its core. He is an incredibly efficient player who contributes to winning on both ends of the floor: a terrific defender with an offensive game that continues to develop. His athleticism jumps off the screen when you watch him. He’s a great student and a fantastic human being.”
Forward Kasean Pryor
“Kasean is one of the most skilled big men in the country. His ability to stretch defenses with his shooting and passing abilities makes him a nightmare matchup for the opposition. He plays with a passion and swagger that galvanizes the team. A fierce competitor, who rebounds at a high level, his on-court intensity is contagious.”
Forward Khani Rooths
“Khani is an elite athlete with great size and length. He comes from a highly regarded program in IMG that has been instrumental in his development on and off the court. Khani’s productivity in the Adidas 3SSB Circuit and at the high school level is undeniable. He brings a level of versatility that is highly coveted at this level.”
Forward Noah Waterman
Noah possesses a unique combination of toughness, talent, and size. Few guys at 6-11 have the consistency he has shown throughout his career when it comes to shooting the ball. Noah has a compelling personality that comes through in his drive and desire on the court. Some of the most difficult settings for college basketball have seen him play some of his finest games. His arrival to the team gives us a degree of adaptability that is uncommon at this level.”
Center Frank Anselem-Ibe
Head coach Pat Kelsey said in a statement, “Frank has been efficient at the high-major level over the past four years.” He’s a strong, athletic center who can lead off the floor as well as perform on it. Frank provides a mature and experienced presence that others may rely on during the season. He is a seasoned rim protector in addition to being a superb learner, leader, and human being.”
