Laura Govan’s 6-word praises daughter Izela Arena’s work in Louisville’s NCAA first-round win over Nebraska

Laura Govan was a delighted mother when her daughter, Izela Arenas, accomplished a significant milestone with the Louisville Cardinals. The eldest child of Gilbert Arenas and Govan played and won her first NCAA first-round game versus Nebraska.

Laura Govan devoted a special post to her daughter following her triumph. She uploaded a photo of Izela Arenas wearing her Cardinals shirt.

“So Proud of You!!! “Let’s Go,” Govan wrote in the caption.

[Credit: Instagram/@lauramgovan].

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Louisville, the NCAA’s seventh seed overall, upset Nebraska, the tenth seed, 63-58. Although the game remained close for the most part, the Cardinals’ stifling defence, which forced many turnovers, combined with a strong run in the fourth quarter, was too much for the Huskers.

Izela Arenas and the Cardinals will play TCU in the second round on Sunday, March 20.

While her team advanced to the following round, Izela Arenas did not play very well. She played for nine minutes and did not score. Izela Arenas tried three field goals but missed all of them, including one from beyond the arc.

Laura Govan applauds son Aloni Arenas’ work on the court.

Laura Govan has accepted the position of full-time mother, devoting herself to assisting her children in pursuing basketball careers.

While her eldest son, Alijah Arenas, is ready to enter USC, her youngest son is investing time in the gym to follow in his father and brother’s footsteps. The pleased mother shared a video of her youngest boy preparing and playing against his teammates.

The video showed the 7th grader cooking with his floater, as well as his 3-point shooting and passing ability, which appear to be above his years. He also displayed a few crossovers. Laura Govan hyped up Aloni in her post.

“Oh Just Incase You Didn’t Know His Name Is Aloni Arenas #BEAST … @aloniarenas ❤️ My Papa #Lefty,” Govan wrote in the caption.

 

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A post shared by Laura Govan (@lauramgovan)

Laura Govan has primarily accepted responsibility for training her children and assisting them in achieving their goals. Aloni’s youngest sister, Hamiley Arenas, has also garnered national headlines with her performances, and her well-known mother can easily provide backing and sponsorships.

Gilbert Arenas and Govan have been dating since 2002 and are engaged in 2008. However, the pair split up four years later. Arenas is currently engaged to YouTuber Melli Monaco.

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The Louisville women proceed to play former player Van Lith after defeating Nebraska 63-58 in March Madness.

Highlights of the Louisville Cardinals vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers game

Texas’s Fort Worth — — In the opening round of the women’s NCAA Tournament on Friday, seventh-seeded Louisville defeated 10th-seeded Nebraska 63-58 behind 16 points from Tajianna Roberts and two free throws and a charging penalty from Jayda Curry in the closing minute.

After falling down when Nebraska started the fourth quarter with a 10-0 run, the Cardinals (22–10) rallied to take on second-seeded TCU and their former player Hailey Van Lith.

“This group is really unique. Forward Olivia Cochran, who scored 14 points in her seventh NCAA Tournament game with the Cardinals, remarked, “We just don’t even know how good we are yet.”

After missing the ACC tournament due to a shoulder ailment, Curry ended with 13 points.

The Cardinals progressed for a game against Van Lith after their lone first-round loss under coach Jeff Walz previous season.

“Our basketball teams were excellent. Of the guard who participated in three Elite Eight visits from 2021–23, including one that led to the Final Four, Walz remarked, “She was a big part of it.”

Alexis Markowski finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Britt Prince, a rookie guard, led Nebraska (21–12) with 14 points. Amiah Hargrove scored ten.

Curry, who was hopping awkwardly on her right foot while guarding after the shot, made a jumper with 2:20 remaining to tie the score at 56-all. Following Cochran’s offensive rebound and pass, Curry remained in and scored the subsequent basket.

“Just a cramp.” That was all,” Curry stated. One major component was the encouragement I received from my coaches and teammates. In those situations, I was able to make significant plays.

With 25 seconds remaining and the Cardinals still leading 59-58, Curry was charged with fouling after Logan Nissley drove to the hoop. A few seconds later, Curry converted two free throws.

Walz remarked, “I was really proud of how she had gutted out.”

With 2:45 remaining in the first half, Prince’s layup put the Cornhuskers within 32-27, matching their largest advantage. After a 9-0 run led by seven points from Roberts, Louisville led 36-32 at the half.

Then, with 3:36 remaining in the third quarter, Markowski scored inside after being fouled and added the free throw after they missed ten consecutive baskets.

Markowski’s cross-court pass to Alberte Rimdal, who scored a 3-pointer from the corner in front of the Huskers bench, ended the 4th quarter’s 3 1/2-minute surge that put Nebraska up 54-50, even though they were still behind 42-36 at the time.

Because this is a team that came to win, Nebraska coach Amy Williams remarked, “It’s just the strangest feeling to feel like we’re not just happy to be here, so there’s a strong disappointment and just bad taste in our mouth.”

I managed to confront Van Lith this time.

Van Lith moved to LSU after leaving Louisville, and he attended another Elite Eight the previous season. Last year, the Cardinals would have faced that team in the second round prior to their defeat by Middle Tennessee. At TCU, Van Lith is currently participating in her fifth and last collegiate season.

Coach versus former athlete

When Williams was a senior guard for the 1997–98 Cornhuskers, Walz, who is currently in his 18th season with the Cardinals, was a young assistant in his first season on the Nebraska staff.

“Amy has performed admirably there. It’s entertaining to see,” Walz said. You’re playing to win, of course, but I can relate to her because I’ve been in her shoes. I am aware of the amount of time and effort your players, head coaches, and staff must put in, particularly at this time of year.

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The second-seeded TCU, a first-time NCAA host, will play Louisville on Sunday. The Horned Frogs defeated Fairleigh Dickinson 73-51 earlier Friday, making them 20-0 at home this season.

Pat Kelsey speaks about Louisville’s laser concentration before the NCAA game vs Creighton in Rupp

Pat Kelsey discusses Louisville’s laser concentration prior to their NCAA contest against Creighton in Rupp Arena. EXPAND ALL

The Louisville men’s basketball team is participating in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.

Following two catastrophic seasons under former head coach Kenny Payne, the Cardinals have experienced a remarkable reversal this season under the guidance of first-year head coach Pat Kelsey, who has assembled a reconstructed roster.

U of L received an 8 seed in March Madness, despite its present ranking of No. 10 in the AP poll and a 27-7 record. The 2025 NCAA Tournament will commence at Rupp Arena in Lexington on Thursday at 12:15 p.m. with the Cardinals facing 9 seed Creighton (24-10) in the opening game.

That contest will be played at the South Regional in Atlanta.

Kelsey convened a meeting with media members at Rupp Arena to address Louisville’s season to date and the forthcoming matchup against the Bluejays in advance of Thursday’s March Madness opener.

On the eve of Louisville’s NCAA Tournament opener, Kelsey issued the following statement.

Pat Kelsey, the inaugural head coach of the Louisville men’s basketball program, is currently in his inaugural season. Jordan Prather USA TODAY NETWORK

Opening statement.

We are thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to be present. My mentor, Skip Prosser, referred to the NCAA Tournament as “the national tournament”; I am of the firm conviction that it is indeed March Madness. It is the most prestigious tournament in the American athletics industry. During this period, it captivates the hearts and minds of individuals who are passionate about sports throughout the nation.

I never tire of it. I have been extremely privileged to have participated in this tournament on numerous occasions, as an athlete, as an assistant coach, and as a head coach. And to be present once more is always a special occasion, as it always is.

We are enthusiastic about the prospect of returning to our state of origin. I anticipate that our supporters will attend in large numbers, and our athletes are enthusiastic about the prospect of competing against a world-class coach and a high-level program in a very, very, very hazardous team.

Inquiry regarding Louisville’s focus-level prior to the NCAA Tournament.

[…] Our team’s unwavering commitment to detail and laser-focussed approach remains unchanged.

I frequently advise our team members that if they maintain a high standard and strive for excellence in preparation — as you explicitly mentioned in your inquiry regarding preparation — they do not need to rise to the occasion during significant moments; rather, they should rely on their training.

And their instruction has been of the highest quality. That is the perspective we adopt.

Regardless of whether we were playing a non-Division I team in November or a phenomenal team in Creighton, our players consistently maintain the same approach. For the past few days, I have observed nothing other than our standard.

Regarding your other inquiry, we have not raised an eyebrow. Refrain from discussing it. At that juncture, it is irrelevant. We are present and are currently engaged in a match against Creighton. In order to prevail over Creighton, we must perform at our highest level. When presented with the opportunity to represent your school and city in the national tournament, there is no need for additional motivation.

As you are aware, our personnel are competitors. Throughout the year, you have observed them engage in competition. Therefore, regardless of whether the Committee selected us as a 16 seed, an 8 seed, a 4 seed, or a 5 seed, we are present. We are entirely focused on defeating a world-class team and a world-class coach.

Inquiry regarding Louisville’s capacity to recover from losses.

I firmly believe that there is always something to be learnt, regardless of whether you win or lose a game. We consistently advise against accepting in victory what you would not tolerate in defeat.

You mentioned that our game review was conducted during a period of multiple double-digit win streaks. This never changed. At the time of our recording review the following day, the standard remained unchanged. I inform our staff that we have suffered a loss, and my strategy is to behave as though we have. Nitpick this footage and make adjustments and corrections with the mindset that we have just lost the game.

Therefore, I do not believe that it undergoes substantial modifications. It is evident that there is likely a small amount of additional debris to remove following the Duke defeat; however, the methodology was consistent.

Our teammates are extraordinary in their dedication to the daily routine of practice, weight training, individual skill exercises, film sessions and the subsequent tasks. The subsequent objective is the one that we consistently prioritise and strive to excel in.

Inquiry regarding the prospective advantages of a home-court advantage with spectators, as well as the fact that Louisville plays at Rupp Arena and a short distance from campus in Lexington.

That ambiance, I mean, Creighton has a phenomenal fan base now. However, the fan base’s reputation is well-known and well-documented, and I have never coached there.

Consequently, those individuals are planning to embark on a journey. I do not believe it is possible to make the presumption that it will be simply vanquished by red. I assure you that there will be a significant number of Creighton students present.

I am aware of the phenomenal reputation of Creighton’s fan base, which I previously discussed. However, being at the University of Louisville for nearly one full calendar year, it was immediately apparent to me that our proximity and the ease of travel for our fans are positive factors.

Additionally, I was already aware of this. Up the road in Cincinnati, I was raised. I was a Xavier fan and played for the team. As a child, you were aware that one of the most renowned brands in collegiate basketball was located in your neighbourhood. I was born and raised in the 1980s, which was the apogee of all heydays, with numerous national championships.

Additionally, I recall attending a game at the Cincinnati Coliseum, where Xavier faced Louisville. I cannot recall the specifics of the item, but I recall seeing it and being in admiration of the large C-A-R-D-S mantra and the name that was emblazoned across the chest. I now hear that in my sleep, as it is a constant presence in my life. It is quite impressive.

They have a passionate fan base, and we have a passionate fan base. It is the most wonderful time of the year. It will be a significant contest and a fantastic collegiate basketball atmosphere.

I have a question regarding Aly Khalifa.

Aly Khalifa functions as an extension of the coaching personnel. He is one of the most brilliant basketball minds I have ever coached. He has an incredibly generous heart and dedicates his time to assisting players who are not redshirting on a daily basis.

He has taken immense pride in sheltering James Scott. James has been an exceptional player for us this year and is one of the most talented rim threats and lob threats in the country.

However, he and James GBT are in constant contact. We refer to it as GBT, or fantastic basketball conversation. Additionally, they are perpetually discussing the intricacies of the game, schematics, and passing, in addition to post-play. It is enjoyable to observe.

Is it true that he has been a member of our reconnaissance team? Therefore, it is somewhat challenging for him to execute those manoeuvres, as Aly Khalifa is one of the most proficient passers in the world. He is a remarkable distributor. At times, I am slightly concerned that his criticism of our team, which includes backcuts and other forms of aggression, is undermining their self-assurance.

He is an exceptional young man who has dedicated himself to his rehabilitation and is contributing to our team’s improvement from behind the scenes.

Inquiry regarding James Scott.

James accompanied us from Charleston. I believe that he was the second youngest athlete in all of Division I basketball last year at Charleston. And I am likely to be mistaken about this statistic, but I believe he was among the top five in the country in terms of dunks in basketball.

I immediately recognised that James is one of the most inquisitive basketball minds I have ever encountered, which is somewhat consistent with my response to Aly Khalifa. He is incessantly posing enquiries.

I wish he would pursue additional interests and perhaps be more appreciative of college, but he is primarily focused on studying basketball. Recordings are monitored by him. When he is not engaged in that activity, he is observing an NBA game. Additionally, he will introduce concepts and notions. He is an extraordinary individual in terms of his ability to master the game of basketball and his voracious consumption of films.

He has been requested to significantly contribute due to the injuries we have encountered. The injuries we have sustained throughout the year are well-documented, with Kasean Pryor losing his season, Koren Johnson losing his season, Noah Waterman missing five weeks due to a broken thumb, Aboubacar Traore missing six weeks due to a broken arm, and Reyne Smith missing the last several games for us.

James, among other players, has been required to enhance his usage and role, and he performs an enormous number of minutes for us. We significantly depend on him for numerous tasks; however, he accomplishes them with a cheerful demeanour. He is as resilient as a rock. He has never missed a game, despite having facial fractures, and his teeth were struck out. This is evident in the bizarre dark mask he wears. Another intriguing narrative involves the construction of that disguise by the Speed School of Engineering. He has yet to replace his dentition, which is why he appears to be a hockey player. I believe he actually enjoys the appearance. I encouraged him to smile more, which is why the large disparity is somewhat amusing; however, it has become a part of his identity.

Inquiry regarding Ryan Kalkbrenner of Creighton and Louisville’s strategy for his defence.

He is exceptional. Each and every superlative that I could possibly conjure. He is gifted, he is a motor, and he has extraordinary hands. Additionally, he is tough. He is a preposterous rim protector. I often discuss James’ lob threats; he has the potential to be the greatest lob threat in the country. He has the ability to score in the post and has a good touch around the rim. I mean, you name it—four-time Big East defensive player, All-American, and highly decorated. You referenced James; however, it is challenging to protect him with all five defenders due to the presence of other exceptional players. One is one of the most talented point guards in the United States of America, possessing exceptional range upon exiting the bus. Upon disembarking from the vehicle, they were accompanied by additional individuals who possessed range.

I am a Xavier graduate and a Xavier fan, so I am aware of the Big East and similar matters. As soon as that name appeared on the screen, we were aware that Creighton was our opponent. Gosh, I am aware of their exceptional quality. Therefore, we are currently preoccupied and have been exerting ourselves to the fullest in preparation. Although it will be a significant challenge, we are enthusiastic about it.

Louisville Head Coach Pat Kelsey criticises the selection committee following the Cardinals’ seeding

What exactly was the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee thinking?

Selection Sunday has come and gone, but it was not without controversy. There is a North Carolina vs. West Virginia controversy that is raging throughout athletics. Additionally, there are concerns regarding how teams were placed in the NCAA Tournament.

The Louisville Cardinals advanced all the way to the ACC Championship, where they fell to the Duke Blue Devils. Despite finishing 27-7 on the season and 18-2 in conference play, the Cardinals got the No. 8 seed in the South Region, where they will face Big Ten Tournament runner-up Creighton in the opening round.

During his interview with ESPN Radio’s Matt Jones and Myron Medcalf, head coach Pat Kelsey expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s No. 8 seeding.

Did @MarchMadnessMBB get it right with @LouisvilleMBB as the 8th seed in the South Region?@patkelsey had some thoughts 🤔@KySportsRadio @MedcalfByESPN pic.twitter.com/2MRZ5oxcyQ

— ESPN Radio (@ESPNRadio) March 16, 2025

“I’ll be completely honest with you, we’re watching the selection show, when that popped up, it hurt a little bit,” Kelsey said me. “You felt cheated a little. It is what it is at this time, and I believe we should be playing a 12 or 11 seed. Every parameter you look at, and all the experts agree, NET – 23, putting us [at] a probable 5 seed range. KenPom – 23. And, hey, you’re Kentucky fans, and that December 14 game happened three months ago. Three months. We lost two games. We finished 18-2 in the ACC. We went to the conference final game and lost against the country’s number one team. So, that is what it is.”

Pat Kelsey criticises the NCAA Tournament selection committee for granting Louisville a No. 8 seed.

Kelsey understands that nothing can be done to affect their seeding, but he did give forth the facts of Louisville’s season. They dropped only two conference games and led Duke 38-33 in the ACC Tournament Championship.

Prior to Selection Sunday, both CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm and ESPN’s Joe Lunardi projected Louisville as the No. 6 seed in the Midwest Region. On Selection Sunday, the Midwest Region’s No. 6 seed went to Illinois.

Now, the Cardinals must defeat the Blue Jays in the first round. Creighton recently defeated DePaul and UConn to go to the Big East Tournament Finals. Ultimately, the Bluejays fell to the St. John’s Red Storm.

If Louisville defeats Creighton, their next opponent will most likely be the No. 1 overall seed in the region and the whole NCAA Tournament, the Auburn Tigers. Auburn had a tough end to the season, losing three of their last four games, but for the most part, they were one of the most dominant teams in the country. So Louisville has a difficult route ahead of them.

There is nothing to be one, other than Louisville overcoming adversity to earn their fourth NCAA Tournament National Championship.

 

How many teams participate in March Madness? NCAA Tournament bracket information.

In this photo illustration, a March Madness (NCAA Division I… | SOPA Images/GettyImages

Everything you need to know about the field 68’s structure.

Today is Selection Sunday, when college basketball fans across find out which teams will compete in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The competition for a berth in this year’s field has been historically fierce, with apparently more teams than ever putting their case on the verge. But how many places are available?

The popularity of March Madness has led to a significant increase in the number of teams competing for Division I national titles. Here’s where the field is now and where it may go in the future.

Total number of teams in the NCAA tournament

The men’s and women’s tournaments each include a field of 68 teams: 31 autobids for conference tournament champions and 37 at-large bids awarded by selection committees to teams with the strongest overall credentials. Of course, how to define “best resume” is a topic of considerable dispute every year, and it now includes things like NET rating, Quad 1 and 2 victories, strength of schedule, non-conference schedule, and numerous other variables.

Once the fields have been prepared, the games will begin with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio. The four lowest-seeded automatic bids (16 seeds) and four lowest-seeded at-large teams (11 or 12 seeds) battle for a position in the final 64-team tournament. Once the field has been reduced from 68 to 64, the first round may begin.

How has the number of March Madness teams changed?

As one can expect, the event has come a long way over the years. The inaugural men’s Division I NCAA Tournament was held in 1939, when only eight schools competed: Brown, Ohio State, Villanova, and Wake Forest in the East, and Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Utah State in the West. Oregon defeated Ohio State to claim the national title.

The field has expanded as the competition gained prominence. The number of teams increased from 16 in 1951 to 32 in 1975. (The requirement to maintain the bracket clean meant that the field could only actually double in size, making growth a more difficult and slow-moving affair.) We agreed on 64 teams in 1985, adding the First Four to bring the total to 68 in 2011.

The first women’s tournament took place in 1982 and comprised 32 teams. The number grew to 40 in 1986, 48 in 1989, and eventually 64 in 1994. It wasn’t until 2022 that the women’s tournament included a First Four, increasing the final field to 68, much as the men’s.

Could March Madness be expanded again?

Given how much money the men’s and women’s tournaments earn, and how much more might be made by adding additional games to the schedule, this appears to be a matter of “when” rather than “if”. In recent years, there has been ongoing discussion about further expansion, with both 72-team (adding two more games to the First Four) and 76-team (adding one more game to each bracket) suggestions floating about.

However, there are still many details to work out before this becomes a reality.

In February, NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt stated that the tournaments’ success and importance to college basketball are taken seriously. “Expansion, even in a modest level, is complex, more complex than, I think, than has been recognised and reported, because it is expensive.”

It’s a significant operational challenge, and it is unlikely that a vote will be taken in time to make modifications before 2026. However, as we’ve seen with college sports, money ultimately prevails in the end.

Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey discusses the ACC Coach of the Year award

Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey was honored as the 2025 ACC Coach of the Year, a testament to his leadership in transforming the Cardinals’ basketball program. Under his guidance, Louisville achieved a remarkable turnaround, improving from a combined 12 wins over the past two seasons to a 25-6 record this year.

In response to receiving the award, Kelsey humbly redirected the accolade to his team, stating, “This isn’t a coach of the year award, it’s a 25 strong award.” This sentiment underscores his belief in collective effort and the unity of his players and staff.

Kelsey’s achievement has sparked discussions within the ACC community, particularly among Duke supporters who felt that their coach, Jon Scheyer, was deserving of the honor. Despite leading Duke to a stellar season, Scheyer was edged out by Kelsey for the award.

Kelsey’s journey to this point includes successful coaching stints at Winthrop University and the College of Charleston, where he led both programs to significant achievements before taking the helm at Louisville.

Pat Kelsey fulfils his assurance of “winning games” at Louisville

339 days ago, Pat Kelsey was appointed to lead the struggling University of Louisville basketball program.

During the Kenny Payne era, the Cardinals had the worst two seasons in program history, finishing 12-52. They had only played one NCAA Tournament game since Rick Pitino’s departure in 2017, were a doormat in the ACC for a few seasons, and were not among the nation’s elite programs.

However, Kelsey didn’t have his boots on the ground for 30 seconds before he gave his first message on what supporters might anticipate from his program.

“We’re going to win,” Kelsey exclaimed as they walked from the plane to the airport. “We’re going to win.”

It was the same message for the following six months, while Kelsey was busy assembling a new staff and a whole new team. There was optimism among the Louisville fan base, and Kelsey kept that hope alive with his words of encouragement, the concept of Revi-Ville, and his overall upbeat attitude towards the season.

Kelsey knew what he was selling.

With one week left in the regular season, Louisville is not only winning games, but they are still in contention for the overall ACC Championship. Sure, winning the title is a long shot, with Duke still one game ahead, but it is not impossible.

“I want to commend coach, Kelsey, his staff, and their team for what they’ve done in such a short period of time with this program,” Pittsburgh coach Jeff Capel said following U of L’s 79-68 victory against the Panthers on Saturday night. “It’s nothing short of amazing to get this environment back to how it was when I first became a head coach in this league.”

The Louisville fan base is experiencing renewed energy and anticipation.

So, what may happen during the following week? Louisville has already won a double-bye and a top-three seed in the ACC Tournament, which begins on March 11 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Cardinals will face California (13-16, 6-12 ACC) on Wednesday at 9 p.m. before hosting Stanford (19-10, 11-7) next Saturday at 2 p.m. to conclude the regular season.

Louisville, which has already established a school record for the most progress from one season to the next and continues to improve, is currently 23-6 overall and 16-2 in ACC play.

Kelsey stated that his squad will not look forward. We just can’t and won’t do it,” but for the rest of us, the next two games are crucial.

U of L is presently tied with Clemson for second place in the conference at 16-2, trailing Duke at 17-1. The Cardinals have the tiebreaker against Clemson for the head-to-head victory in January.

A three-way tie? Louisville would receive the #1 seed in the ACC Tournament if they win both of their remaining games and Duke loses one of their last two. The Blue Devils visit Wake Forest on Monday and travel to North Carolina next Saturday. Clemson plays at Boston College and will host Virginia Tech.

Chucky Hepburn, a point guard, scored 37 points to lead Louisville against Pittsburgh. He also acknowledged the almost 18,000 supporters who filled the KFC Yum Centre with a major boost, telling CardNation after the game to “buckle up” for the long drive.

“One hundred percent the fanbase was so great tonight,” he remarked. “We felt the excitement, much like in the game versus Tennessee, which was one of those high-octane games. So we knew we could not lose tonight. We had to dig deep and simply make plays to win the game. Going down the stretch in March, we’ll need the fanbase’s love and support. Because we intend to play for a long period in March and into April, so saddle up.”

Kelsey was not incorrect. His team is winning games, and the Cardinals hope it continues for a few more weeks.

CBS Sports Digital

Reyne Smith talks on his friendship with Pat Kelsey ahead of Louisville basketball’s senior day

Louisville basketball sharpshooter Reyne Smith, the only player on the squad who has spent all four years under coach Pat Kelsey, will have an emotional senior day.

Smith, who is from Tasmania, has always had a talent for shooting the ball. Kelsey has helped him become perhaps the greatest in Division I this season.

This is the narrative of Smith falling in love with the game, meeting Kelsey, and forming a friendship that will endure their entire lives.

Pat Kelsey’s pause revealed more about his connection with Reyne Smith than the accolades the Louisville basketball coach bestowed upon the Australian player.

“He’s a winner,” Kelsey told reporters during the Cardinals’ season-opening exhibition against Young Harris College in October. “Sometimes, people mistake him for what Skip Prosser used to call’suburban jump shooters.'” That is not Reyne.

“That’s his deal — and he shoots the blood out of the ball — yet he’s tough as nails and appears on every single scouting report. He is always precisely where he is supposed to be. It’s almost like having another assistant coach because he understands what we do and how to execute it so effectively. He’s a selfless guy who puts the team first.”

Then comes the pause. Perhaps Kelsey was reminded of the day Smith committed to play for him at Winthrop, when he jumped into the pool at his Rock Hill, South Carolina, home after getting the news. Perhaps it was a realisation of how much time had gone — or that concentrating solely on the next item in front of him would not avert the inevitable.

“It’s a shame I only get to coach him for one more year,” he told me. “Because he’s a joy.”

With a crowded senior day versus Stanford at the KFC Yum! Centre on Saturday, Kelsey is likely to say the same thing about players on his debut U of L roster. Smith’s family travels from Tasmania to accompany him to Denny Crum Court, which will have a different impact.

“He’s like a son to me,” Kelsey said after a Feb. 16 win against Notre Dame. Smith became only the third player in school history to hit 100 shots from beyond the arc in a season.

“It’s hard to put into words,” Smith told The Courier Journal later that night. “It’s starting to feel a little more real: It’s coming to the end.”

Smith, of course, is the only Card who has spent his whole four-year college career with Kelsey and his crew. He was the first to transfer in last March, only hours after the coach named his renovation “The ReviVILLE” on X, previously Twitter. All he’s done since then is improve his skills and become a fan favourite, making umbrella hats a must-have accessory in the student section.

“It’s kind of emotional to see the success he’s had this year; because he came with me from Charleston,” Kelsey elaborated. “He’s better here than he was there—and he was really excellent there. It’s absolutely amazing to see, and it’s a credit to hard effort.”

This is the story of Smith discovering basketball, his shot, Kelsey, and a second family.

He’s always been able to shoot it.

During an interview on The C.L. Brown Show in January, Smith revealed that he began playing Australian rules football as a child in Ulverstone. He started playing basketball in first grade and remained with it because of the individuals it made him close to.

A wise decision; by his early teens, he was competing in a national championship competition. His coach was Louisville assistant Michael Cassidy, a fellow countryman who is new to coaching.

“I should find a photo,” Cassidy told The Courier Journal last summer. “The guy is tiny and little, but he’s always been able to shoot it.

“We’ve always joked about how we can’t stay away from one other. It’s been like four separate programs.”

When Smith placed second in made 3-pointers during the week-long contest, he decided to dedicate himself to the sport in the hopes of one day being Australia’s best marksman. He spent a lot of time on YouTube, namely viewing a Sports Science video on Klay Thompson’s jumper, and worked hard in the gym.

 

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A post shared by Reyne Smith (@_reynesmith)

Smith informed Paul Rogers of the Cardinal Sports Network that he was confidence in his ability to shoot the ball after setting the Cardinals’ single-game record of 10 three-pointers against SMU on January 21. “I work way too hard to even think twice about my shot.”

“There are very few people I’ve ever coached,” she added, “who are as invested in their game as he is.”

Cassidy eventually came knocking with an invitation to play for the elite Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. It was founded in 1981 to improve the country’s prospects of winning an Olympic medal, and it has produced basketball players like Andrew Bogut and Patty Mills.

Smith was determined to advance his game to Division I level, so this was a no-brainer; he moved away from home at the age of 17. Since then, the distance has only increased.

“My mom’s like my biggest fan and wants me to chase my dreams,” she remarked. “She hates seeing me leave; but she knows that this is something I love to do.”

‘Comfortable’

Kelsey had success recruiting at the Australian Institute of Sport (Xavier Cooks) before to Smith’s arrival, developing contacts with coaches along the way. When the young guard began to build a reputation for himself, they contacted the Cincinnati native on his behalf.

“I’ve always loved watching Reyne play,” said Washington Wizards assistant Adam Caporn, who was the senior teacher at the institute’s Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence while Smith and Cassidy were there. “(He) can play anywhere and help a team anywhere with that level of shooting and toughness.”

Kelsey offered Smith two things if he committed to Winthrop. The first was that, in accordance with Australian customs, he would not have to address him as coach. The second move was the aforementioned backflip into his pool.

“I didn’t think anything of it,” Smith said. “When I called him to say I was committing, I kind of forgot about it.”

Kelsey then raced outside, flipped his phone camera around, and asked his son, Johnny, to record him diving into the lake while wearing his clothing.

“I’m like, ‘Oh my God,'” Smith explained. “Coaches with so much enthusiasm are hard to come by in Australia. “It was quite funny.”

 

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Kelsey have great expectations for Smith. When his signing became official, the coach stated, “I don’t want to put too much pressure on him; but I believe he could be Winthrop’s next great Australian.” However, that never materialised. Instead, he followed him and Cassidy to Charleston, where he broke the program record for most 3-pointers made in a game twice as a junior, finishing with 1,212 career points on 37% shooting from distance.

Smith praised Kelsey and his team for making him feel at ease during his adjustment to life in America. That’s one of the reasons he was so eager to join what they were creating in Louisville. Despite receiving offers from other institutions through the NCAA transfer site last spring, he chose not to pursue them.

“Especially during holidays like Thanksgiving (or) Christmas, PK’s always stressing to make sure that I’m OK and I’ve got something going on; and, if not, I can always come to his house,” Smith informed me.

“That’s what’s been so amazing for me: him underlining how welcome I am to come over anytime I want, and a variety of other staff members stating that if I ever need a home-cooked dinner, I can come over. Things like those simply make it feel so much simpler, and you feel a lot more at ease in that setting.”

‘It won’t endure forever.’

Smith, who had lived and breathed Kelsey’s culture for three years, came into the 2024-25 season as an expert at maintaining a forward-thinking attitude. But he was also acutely aware of the wider picture: time was of the essence.

“You kind of go in every day just with a different appreciation,” Smith claimed, “and understanding that it’s not lasting forever.”

Smith, as Kelsey mentioned after the Notre Dame win, had a smooth adjustment from the Coastal Athletic Association to the ACC. Entering March, he was nine 3s away from breaking his career high of 112 from 2023-24 and 19 shy of overtaking Taquan Dean’s 122 from 2004-05 for the top place in the U of L record book.

“His light is neon,” Kelsey explained. “Name a (shade) of green that’s greener than green and he’s got it.”

“When a play gets called for him, and you’re on the end of the screen, you just really want to do your job,” said sophomore forward James Scott, who played with Smith at Charleston before following him to the Cards. “Because you know that, if you do your job and he gets any type of space, he’s going to hit the shot.”

 

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Smith’s 3.71 triples per game stood second in DI entering March and, if he continues at this rate, will be the highest by an ACC player since JJ Redick averaged 3.90 for Duke in 2005-06. He was also on track for the second-best conversion rate from outside the arc of his career, at 38.5%. Then there were his career-best 81 rebounds and career-low 20 turnovers.

“He’s a really good all-around player,” Kelsey explained.

Although he will soon leave Kelsey & Co. behind, Smith’s playing career is far from done. Snipers with his range are likely to find a home in the professional ranks, and he should be called upon to represent Australia in international events, including as the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup. But when the ball stops bouncing, he wants to be a coach. He replied that teaching the game is too much pleasure to give up totally.

“He’s a great leader; he’s unbelievably bright basketball-wise; he’s got a dynamic personality,” Kelsey told me. “I’ll try to talk him out of this ridiculous racket, but what’s in your blood stays in your blood. Typically, you have no control over the situation.”

Kelsey’s regimen is also having an impact on him.

“I’m forever in debt to this staff for what they’ve done for me — for not only my basketball career but also for me as a person; kind of shaping my life so, when I leave the program, I’m not only a better basketball player but also a better man,” Smith said. “They always talk about how proud they are of me, but the feeling’s mutual.”

Brooks Holton, a Louisville men’s basketball reporter, may be reached at bholton@gannett.com and followed on X at @brooksHolton.