Where Louisville basketball roster stands with transfer portal closed

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - JANUARY 16: Forward Flory Bidunga #40 of the Kansas Jayhawks dunks against center James Nnaji #46 of the Baylor Bears in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse on January 16, 2026 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

Flory Bidunga, the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, shot to the very top of most portal rankings when he announced his departure from Kansas and will likely hold on to that position when it's all said and done.

The 6-10, 235-pound Congolese forward picked Louisville (reportedly, over the likes of Duke, Michigan and St. John's) after wrapping up a visit to campus April 12.

Across 31.6 minutes per game (34 starts) as a sophomore in 2025-26, Bidunga was the only Division I player to average more than 13 points (13.3 on 64% shooting), 8.5 rebounds (nine) and 2.5 blocks (2.6).

When Bidunga entered the portal, he also announced his intentions to test the NBA draft waters. The early entry withdrawal deadline for players who wish to return to the collegiate ranks is 11:59 p.m. May 27.

Some, like 247Sports scouting director Adam Finkelstein, believe Bidunga has done enough to hear his name called in the first round this year.

"I think he's a first-round NBA draft pick. In fact, I've got him at No. 29 on our big board," Finkelstein said during an April 8 appearance on CBS Sports HQ. "But here's the thing: That equated this year to about a $2.3 million slot; and he's going to get a whole lot more in the portal. … He's going to be as dominant of a center as there is if he stays in the college game next year."

Alvaro Folgueiras

Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) controls the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) in the first half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Alvaro Folgueiras, a key cog in Iowa's first Elite Eight run since 1987, committed to Louisville on April 21.

The 6-10 junior forward from Spain appeared in all 37 games (one start) for an average of 20 minutes during his lone season with the Hawkeyes. He finished third on the team in scoring with 8.4 points on 50% shooting (33% from 3-point range) while also chipping in 3.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists (against 1.2 turnovers).

Folgueiras shined on the NCAA Tournament stage. He went for 16 points on 6-for-7 shooting during a victory over Nebraska that sent Iowa to the Elite Eight. Before that, he came up with the decisive basket in the Hawkeyes' second-round upset of No. 1-seeded Florida: a 3-pointer with 4.5 seconds remaining in regulation that gave him 14 points on the evening.

Those were two of his 16 games breaking double digits. Iowa had a 15-1 record in those games.

Per BartTorvik.com, Folgueiras was one of two Division I players who, across 50% or more of their team's available minutes during the 2025-26 season, posted an offensive rating of 120 or better, a defensive box plus-minus of +3 or better, a defensive rebounding rate of 18% or better and an assist rate of 20% or better.

The other player? Duke freshman phenom Cameron Boozer, the reigning Naismith Trophy winner.

According to his bio on Iowa Athletics' official website, Folgueiras' nickname is "El Pulpo Fol," which translates to "The Octopus." Prior to joining the Hawkeyes, he spent two seasons at Robert Morris — earning Horizon League Player of the Year honors as a sophomore in 2024-25 after averaging 14.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals.

London Johnson

Jan 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard London Johnson (5) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Having not entered the portal, former NBA G League guard London Johnson, who arrived at Louisville in December and redshirted the remainder of the 2025-26 season, is locked into making his collegiate debut with the Cards next fall.

That almost happened in January, when the 6-3, 175-pound native of Norcross, Georgia, was listed as available for a win over Boston College. But he didn't see the court; and, three days later, Kelsey announced Johnson would be sticking with his original plan.

"I don't disparage his decision in any way, shape or form," the coach said at the time. "… I think he started talking to other people in his family and in his circle and things like that and started having second thoughts. I could just see it, and then in scouting and in preparation, you could just tell he was a little bit overwhelmed. I think it's the right decision for him to continue to use this year as a redshirt year and develop and get ready for next year."

Johnson was listed as a junior on UofL's 2025-26 roster. He will be 22 years old when Year 3 of the Kelsey era tips off.

Under former coach Chris Mack, Louisville offered Johnson a scholarship during his time at Norcross High School. Back then, he ranked 46th overall and eighth at his position in the Class of 2022 on the 247Sports Composite.

Johnson, however, opted to bypass college entirely and suit up for the now-defunct G League Ignite. In 55 games with the team, he averaged 10.5 points on 43.2% shooting (32.4% from 3-point range), 4.1 assists and two rebounds per appearance. Across 21 games in the G League between stints with the Main Celtics and the Cleveland Charge during the 2024-25 season, he posted 3.1 points per on 40% shooting (34.4% from 3) with 1.7 assists and 1.3 rebounds.

Karter Knox

Arkansas' Karter Knox reacts after hitting a 3-pointer against Texas Tech during a non-conference men's basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, in American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Karter Knox, the top Class of 2024 target of former Louisville coach Kenny Payne, committed to Kelsey on April 15 after two seasons at Arkansas. He reportedly visited campus the day prior.

The 6-6, 220-pound wing's freshman season went well enough that he decided to test the NBA draft waters. His sophomore campaign was a difficult one — 15 absences due to injuries.

Knox underwent a procedure Feb. 19 to repair the meniscus in his left knee that sidelined him for the remainder of the year. His final stat line: 8.1 points on 46% shooting (37.7% from 3), 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists (against one turnover) across 22 minutes per contest.

There were some bright spots, though. Specifically, when the former McDonald's All-American from Tampa, Florida, dropped 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting, six rebounds, two steals, two blocks and an assist while playing 35 minutes of a Dec. 13 victory over then-No. 16 Texas Tech.

"All I've done for two weeks is work on Karter Knox — (telling him), 'Forget about all these expectations and plans; just play,'" Razorbacks coach John Calipari told reporters after the game. "… I've been on him about comparing yourself to another player or somebody else. (It) steals your joy."

Jackson Shelstad

Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad breaks away for a layup as the Oregon Ducks host the UC Davis Aggies on Dec. 13, 2025, at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon.

Former Oregon point guard Jackson Shelstad joined Bidunga in visiting and committing to Louisville during the first weekend of the free agency period. They are both represented by Momentous Sports Partners.

Shelstad, a 6-1, 185-pound junior, was limited to only 12 games between Nov. 7 and Dec. 28 during his third season with the Ducks. He broke his right hand during a practice roughly a month before the campaign tipped off and reinjured it in late December — leading to ligament damage that shut him down for the remainder of the year.

When Shelstad played, he looked like he had taken another step forward after earning a spot on the All-Big Ten third team as a sophomore. The West Linn, Oregon, native averaged a career-best 15.6 points on 39.1% shooting (31.4% from 3), 4.9 assists (against 1.8 turnovers), 2.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals across 34.8 minutes per game.

Per BartTorvik.com, Shelstad's 31.7% assist rate ranked ninth in the Big Ten last season. His 12.6% turnover rate was the third lowest among the conference's top 10 facilitators.

For his career, Shelstad is averaging 13.6 points on 43.9% shooting (35.2% from 3), three assists (against 1.6 turnovers) and 2.9 rebounds across 33.1 minutes per appearance (79 games, 77 starts).

Adrian Wooley

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - JANUARY 06: Head coach Pat Kelsey of the Louisville Cardinals speaks with Adrian Wooley #14 during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils at KFC YUM! Center on January 06, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Adrian Wooley is Kelsey's only returner who saw the court for Louisville in 2025-26. The 6-4, 200-pound guard from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, announced his plans to run it back with the Cards for his junior season April 18.

"I feel like I (can) thrive here — try to be the best version of myself," Wooley told The Courier Journal in January.

Wooley was one of four UofL players to appear in every game during Year 2 of the Kelsey era, averaging 22.5 minutes per appearance (16 starts — typically, in relief of freshman point guard Mikel Brown Jr., who missed 14 games due to a back injury).

Making the jump from Kennesaw State to the high-major ranks, Wooley contributed 8.7 points on 45% shooting (35% from 3), 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists (against 1.1 turnovers) per contest. That resulted in him receiving a handful of votes for the ACC's Sixth Man of the Year Award.

"He's got a grit and a toughness and a competitiveness about him that I love," Kelsey told reporters before the season tipped off.

Among Wooley's goals for his junior season: Speak up.

"Once I become a vocal leader, I'll be able to take my game to the next level," he told The Courier Journal in January. "However much time it takes, I'm willing to take (it)."

Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville basketball, Pat Kelsey roster with transfer portal closed