Throughout June and heading into the all-important July recruiting period, Jeff Goodman and Jeff Borzello will take a look at the summer checklists for the top 50 programs in college basketball, as revealed in Goodman's preseason ballot published in late May. Goodman and Borzello will show you each roster the way the coaches are looking at it, projecting graduation/NBA casualties and areas of need ahead of 2016-17. Below is the summer guide for the Louisville Cardinals.
An index and schedule for the Summer Recruiting Bible series is located HERE.
Scholarship chart
Seniors (2): G Trey Lewis, SF Damion Lee
Juniors (1): C Mangok Mathiang
Sophomores (5): PG Quentin Snider, PF Jaylen Johnson, C Chinanu Onuaku, C Anas Mahmoud, C Matz Stockman
Freshmen (4): SG Donovan Mitchell, SG Ryan McMahon, SF Deng Adel, PF Ray Spalding
Possible early entry losses after next season: None
Available scholarships for 2016: Three
Committed prospects for 2016 and beyond: SF V.J. King (No. 25 in ESPN 100, Team Takeover, 2016)
Biggest needs for 2016-17: Another guard, possibly a big
Must-haves: SG Markelle Fultz (No. 21 in ESPN 100, DC Blue Devils), PG Alterique GIlbert (No. 23, CP3), PF Edrice Adebayo (No. 8, Team Loaded NC), SF Maverick Rowan (No. 30, Each 1 Teach 1)
Targets: SG Markelle Fultz (No. 21, DC Blue Devils), PG Alterique Gilbert (No. 23, CP3), SF Maverick Rowan (No. 30, Each 1 Teach 1), SG Terrance Ferguson (No. 14, MWA Elite), SG Kameron McGusty (No. 40, Houston Defenders), PG De'Aaron Fox (No. 10, Houston Hoops), SF Josh Jackson (No. 3, 1Nation), PF Edrice Adebayo (No. 8, Team Loaded NC), PF Dewan Huell (No. 18, Team Breakdown), C Abdul Ado (No. 31, Georgia Stars)
Summer Scenario
Louisville started its summer a bit early, landing five-star small forward V.J. King -- their must-have, main target in the 2016 class -- last week. King is the likely replacement for Drexel graduate transfer Damion Lee, and eases the pressure to find another wing at the high school level. The priority for the Cardinals continues to be in the backcourt, where Quentin Snider, Donovan Mitchell and Ryan McMahon -- and now King -- are the only guards expected on the roster in 2016-17. Rick Pitino and his staff are hoping to land one other guard, with Markelle Fultz and Alterique Gilbert among the guys on the wish list. The Cardinals often play two combo-guard types in the backcourt at the same time, so they're not necessarily looking for a specific position. The wrinkle in the 2016 class could be wing scorer Maverick Rowan, who could reclassify to 2015 as well. Louisville's roster is built for success over the next few years, with nine freshmen and sophomores in the fold. Another guard and possibly a big -- they've begun turning up the heat on Edrice Adebayo -- would round things out.