Every player on Pat Kelsey’s inaugural Louisville basketball roster is discussed.
Thirteen players signed after they had committed to the team.
By CardChronicle’s Mike Rutherford 30 May 2024, 3:32 p.m. EDT 62 New / 62 Comments
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Distributed by The Courier-Journal
Michael Clevenger/USA TODAY NETWORK/Courier Journal
U of L has been gradually adding each “official” member of the Louisville men’s basketball team for 2024–25 over the past three days. The players’ commitments to U of L were announced in the order that the signings were made.
Pat Kelsey has included a few sentences summarizing the player he is bringing to Derby City in every news release. Here are all of those quotations in one handy location:
Smith Reyne
Reyne, who is battle-tested and among the best shooters in the world at his age, adds a crucial degree of consistency to the program. He is a seasoned producer who has worked on 102 Division I games, and he competes for his own Australia at the greatest level in the world. Reyne is fully immersed in our society. The foundation of what we established in Charleston was his tenacity and dependability. He will exemplify what it means to play basketball for Louisville.
James Scott
James Scott makes me think of Marcus Camby in his youth. He’s established himself as one of the NCAA’s best lob-threats. James was the third-youngest player in the nation when he played last season, but he possesses maturity beyond his years. He is incredibly adaptable and capable of covering every position on defense. His passing skill is one of my favorite things about his game. It’s so underappreciated. His future is incredibly bright, and he has an extraordinary basketball IQ.
Edward Terrence
“The purest form of competition is ‘fatt.'” Despite having a long list of personal achievements, his only concern is the team’s success, and his teams have excelled at all levels. He has a lot of effects on the game and is like a Swiss army knife on the court. The best recommendation I can give is that he is a “dog.” He brings to The Ville an abundance of winning, toughness, and experience that will be treasured.
Hadley J’Vonne
“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 is a mature man who is hungry to succeed and arrives in The Ville with a chip on his shoulder.
The Aly Khalifa
“Among the best big men in basketball for passing is Aly.” His ratio of assists to turnover is remarkably positive. He approaches the game with a rare combination of flair and intelligence. He has had excellent coaching throughout his basketball career and has a high IQ. Aly’s selflessness and enthusiasm for serving others are not limited on the court. He has a wonderful disposition and an amazing heart.
Johnson, Koren
“Koren is an incredible sportsman. In addition to being an instinctive scorer, he can quickly change the course of the game with his defensive abilities. Any given night, he has the ability to dominate a game in a number of ways. He was rightfully named the Pac-12 Conference’s Sixth Man of the Year, and the coaches held him in the highest regard.
Traore, Aboubacar
One of the top rebounders in the nation is coming our way. Unbelievably, 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.
Hepburn Chucky
“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.
Kobe Bryant
“Kobe Rodgers has excelled as a player in every capacity. There are players on every championship team who embodie Kobe’s character. He is an extremely effective player who helps teams win on both ends of the court. He is a great defender who is still improving as an offensive player. When you see him, his athleticism pops off the screen. He is a wonderful person and an excellent student.
Pryor Kasean
“One of the best big men in the nation is Kesean.” He is a nightmare opponent because of his ability to shoot and pass the ball, both of which can stretch defenses. He energizes the team with his swagger and intense play. He is an intense competitor with great rebounding skills, and his on-court passion is infectious.
Waterman, Noah
“Noah has a unique combination of tenacity, skill, 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.
Rooths Khani
“Khani is a phenomenal athlete with exceptional length and size. He attended a well-known IMG program, which helped shape his growth both on and off the court. There is no denying Khani’s success on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit and in high school. At this level, his degree of adaptability is highly sought after.
Anselem-Ibe, Frank
“During the previous four years, Frank has demonstrated high-major level efficiency. He is an athletic, hard-working center who can lead both off the court and 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.
