Louisville Basketball: Preview of Cardinals 2020-21 depth chart

LOUISVILLE, KY - FEBRUARY 19: David Johnson #13 of the Louisville Cardinals listens to head coach Chris Mack during a game against the Syracuse Orange at KFC YUM! Center on February 19, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Louisville defeated Syracuse 90-66. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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COLLEGE PARK, MD – DECEMBER 29: Carlik Jones (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /

Shooting Guards

Graduate transfer Carlik Jones arrives as a new Cardinal almost certain to capture the starting shooting guard spot after tallying 20 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game for the Radford Highlanders. Even more impressively, Jones accomplished all this while shooting 48.8% from the field, proving himself as a top tier reward via the transfer portal for Louisville this year.

From a defensive standpoint, Jones also averaged 1.4 steals per game while frequently showing off his lateral quickness from last year, formulating himself as an “entire package” type player. Wise Cardinal fans might anticipate Jones averaging around 25 minutes per game as a truly indispensable weapon for the team.

Behind him steps secondary graduate transfer Charles Minlend. Formerly playing for San Francisco, Minlend plays aggressively, often attacking the rim while frequently scoring through contact with ease.

His athleticism combined with his size also poises to him with his defensive assignments as well, possessing enough verticality to help him rise up and swat away shots while utilizing his 6’4, 208-pound frame as a roadblock certain to intimidate most other guards. As a versatile and advantageous tool for Coach Mack to wield, watch for Minlend to field minutes potentially at the forward spot as well.

Although Brad Colbert also walks-on as a final depth piece at the two-guard position, this remains a two-man show mirroring the team’s point guard scenario, with Jones at the helm and Minlend following just behind him.

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