5 Players Who Could Follow Adrian Wooley to the Louisville Cardinals

Wooley is likely to be the first of many Cardinals players to sign this offseason. It is doubtful that 5-star prospect Nate Ament would sign to the Cardinals, allowing Louisville to go all in on the transfer portal.

So, with Wooley as the first domino to fall, here are five prospects that may follow the sharpshooter to the Cardinals and pledge to Pat Kelsey and Louisville basketball.

5) Alex Steen

Alex Steen is an under-the-radar player in the transfer portal, as the Florida Southern transfer will go from DII to DI basketball. Steen entered the transfer portal earlier this week, and the Cardinals instantly expressed interest in the supremely skilled power forward.

This offseason, the Cardinals must focus on improving their power forward position. After signing Wooley, their shooting guard position is no longer an issue, and their need for an outstanding defensive forward becomes more apparent. Steen won two Defensive Player of the Year awards at Florida Southern. Last season, he recorded 86 blocks, including a season-high six in one game.

Steen would be an ideal match for the Cardinals since he is an exceptional two-way player who would provide valuable depth to Kelsey’s squad. Last season, he averaged 17.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, shooting 56.2 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three.

5 important reasons Adrian Wooley chose the Louisville Cardinals over Alabama

Adrian Wooley, Louisville’s top basketball recruit, committed to the team yesterday. Pat Kelsey and his Cardinals learnt late afternoon, around 6 p.m. local time, that the No. 3 overall player in the transfer portal had committed to the University of Louisville.

Louisville secured this significant pledge over Wooley’s native state, the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Tide were early favourites in the recruiting process, and they were anticipated to sign this highly regarded shooting guard. Kelsey successfully landed Wooley over Alabama, Auburn, and Kansas.

Alabama is ranked No. 9 in the nation for the 2025 recruiting class, so it was a significant opportunity for Kelsey and his Cardinals. It is evident that Louisville basketball is returning, and Wooley’s signing confirms that.

5 important reasons Adrian Wooley chose the Louisville Cardinals over Alabama

Louisville Nation is rejoicing on April Fools’ Day because the Cardinals’ offseason is off to a great start. The Cardinals’ selection of Wooley over Alabama demonstrates that they are here to stay and will compete with the SEC’s powerhouses on and off the court.

So, here are five compelling reasons Adrian Wooley chose the Louisville Cardinals over the Alabama Crimson Tide.

5) Splash Brothers 2.0

The Cardinals were the obvious choice for Wooley, as the combo guard will be devastating from beyond the arc in Pat Kelsey’s offence. Louisville will want to have an explosive offence, with Mikel Brown Jr. and Wooley attempting to be the collegiate equivalent of the Splash Brothers.

The Cardinals’ two guards are deadly from behind the arc. Wooley shot 42 percent last season and hit 73 3-pointers during the 2024-25 season. The Kennesaw State transfer made slightly more over two 3-pointers per game last season and will seek to increase that number alongside Brown.

Brown won the McDonald’s All-American Game 3-point contest last night, shooting 19 of 25 and scoring 28 points to create a new record. According to MaxPreps, Brown shot more than 60% from the field and three-point line for DME Academy. This 5-star recruit from DME Academy averaged 29 points per game and is regarded as the top point guard in the country.

Brown and Wooley are set to be a dangerous dynamic pair on the offensive end of the floor, leading this Cardinals club to a deep March run.

4. The Cardinals prioritised. Adrian Wooley

The Cardinals were clearly all-in on Wooley from the outset. Louisville appears to be one of the most dedicated schools to the exceptional shooter, contacting him shortly after it was revealed that he had entered the gateway.

Kelsey and the Cardinals sorely needed a shooter, and Louisville was definitely attempting to fill that shooting guard position. The Cardinals acquired the best player available at this position and couldn’t be more pleased with Wooley’s pick.

The Cardinals lost significant distance to McKneely, while Wooley appeared to get interested in the Cardinals. It’s possible that the Cardinals went all in on this true freshman and wanted to ensure they got the No. 3 player in the portal.

Looking at the timetable, it appears that Kelsey’s number one objective was Wooley the entire time, and Cardinals supporters are happy all day on April Fools’ Day, knowing they have finally gotten their dream player.

Related: Louisville basketball gets a major update from 5-star transfer portal guard

3. Playing under Pat Kelsey.

Pat Kelsey is one of the finest college basketball coaches, having created numerous outstanding players throughout his time. He is renowned as a player-coach, allowing the players to play freely since he trusts them. Chucky Hepburn, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-ACC, chose the Cardinals because of Kelsey’s play style.

Wooley will fit in wonderfully with Brown and the rest of the Cardinals’ offence. Kelsey will execute several plays that will get this outstanding playmaker the ball. Wooley is a sniper on catch-and-shoot, but he can also score off the dribble and through playmaking.

Last season, Wooley made many eye-opening plays for the Owls, including spectacular side-step 3-pointers. His ability to be a great facilitator and score in ways other than catch-and-shoot is why he will fit in so well with Brown.

Wooley will fit in nicely under Kelsey, and Cardinals supporters are already losing sleep over how dynamic this offence will be next season. Kelsey went to X to share his delight about Wooley’s signing, which has Cardinals supporters ecstatic.

PatSignal25 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/movyqS3tIY

— Pat Kelsey (@patkelsey) March 31, 2025

2. Wooley is primed to burst in Cardinals offence.

Alabama has the No. 9 recruiting class for the 2025-26 season. The Crimson Tide signed Davion Hannah, a combo guard from Glendale, Wisconsin. Hannah is a unanimous 4-star recruit, ranked third in his skilled position and 43 overall by On3.

It makes perfect sense for Wooley to choose the Cardinals over the Tide. The future Cardinal will not have to compete for a starting spot, since he will arrive on campus knowing he will be Louisville’s starting shooting guard. Wooley is anticipated to be one of the Cardinals’ top scorers next season, although if he had committed to Alabama, he may have played off the bench.

Kelsey and his Cardinals are the ideal fit for Wooley to improve his game and take off this season. Louisville will let him play freely and help him take the next step in his career. The deadly shooter made the proper decision to try to make the NBA, but he also chose the squad that best suited him and his skill set.

Wooley will be the Cardinals’ primary scoring option next season, alongside Brown. These two guards will aim to dominate the ACC and help Louisville win its first NCAA Tournament game in almost six years.

1. Louisville Basketball’s 25-strong

Louisville’s basketball fans are regarded as among the greatest in the country. The Cardinals supporters nearly sold out an NCAA Tournament game at Rupp Arena and were a noticeable X-factor in the 2024-25 season.

Louisville boasts one of the nation’s most devoted fan bases, as seen last season. Following their final regular-season home game, the Tide and Cardinals had Senior Day Ceremonies. The two ceremonies yielded very different outcomes.

The Cardinals fans were seen celebrating their seniors after the win at KFC. Yum! The Centre made certain to acknowledge the elders. However, after losing to Florida, Alabama fans stormed out of their own stadium, making the Senior Day Ceremony an embarrassment.

Wooley will be hailed by Cardinals fans and nearly overwhelmed by their enthusiasm for the Louisville Cardinals programs. Fans crowded the hotel before their ACC and NCAA tournament games, leaving Coach Kelsey and his team awestruck.