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Louisville Basketball: Analyzing Cardinals 2021 incoming recruiting class

By Jerran Anderson

Mar 6, 2021; Louisville, KY, USA; U of L players stand for the National Anthem before the first half as the Louisville Cardinals took on the Virginia Cavaliers at the KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Alton Strupp-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2021; Louisville, KY, USA; U of L players stand for the National Anthem before the first half as the Louisville Cardinals took on the Virginia Cavaliers at the KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Alton Strupp-USA TODAY Sports /
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TCC Eagle El Ellis (3) Tcc V St Pete Basketball 009
TCC Eagle El Ellis (3) Tcc V St Pete Basketball 009 /

Chris Mack and Louisville basketball had quite the rocky road in 2020-21 given the Covid-19 pandemic. After a 9-1 start to the year, the Cardinals dropped to 13-7, going 4-6 across their final 10 games with a Covid Pause after their Feb. 1 game against Georgia Tech.

With things behind them now, Mack looks to get off to a better start with this year’s recruiting class. They’ve got a few graduate transfers and JUCO prospects that should improve their playmaking and 3-point shooting this season.

Here’s a look at the six newcomers in the Louisville basketball 2021 recruiting class.

8. Michael James

James is a prospect that brings some versatility on the wing to Louisville basketball with his size and ability at 6-foot-6. He’s a wiry wing presence that can get to the rim off the bounce, rebound in bunches and defend with presence given his strength and long wingspan.

He produced 19.4 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, and 1.2 bpg in his final high school season at Oak Ridge High (FL). He took home the 2021 District 11 Class 7A Player of the Year and 2020-21 Orlando Sentinel boys basketball player of the year awards as he led his squad to a 23-3 record and the 7A state semifinals in the playoffs.

7. Sydney Curry (JUCO)

Curry joins the Louisville ranks with two years of eligibility left after starring the last two seasons at John A. Logan College out of Illinois on the JUCO circuit. He’s a 6-foot-8 forward that won the 2020-21 Great Rivers Athletic Conference Player of the Year after averaging 12.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg and shot 69.4 percent from the field.

He led his squad to an 18-5 record and a conference title as they finished No. 12 in the final NJCAA DI National poll and their first national tournament appearance in six years. He brings quite the frontcourt presence with his ability to work around the rim and clean up the glass.

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