The most important stretch of the offseason for Louisville basketball and coach Pat Kelsey begins April 7.
That’s when the NCAA transfer portal opens for business — until midnight April 22. And the Cardinals have a lot of roster spots to fill after going 24-11 and reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017 in Year 2 under Kelsey.
The following UofL players exhausted their eligibility at the end of the 2025-26 season: Ryan Conwell, J’Vonne Hadley, Isaac McKneely, Aly Khalifa and Kobe Rodgers. It’s also very likely both freshman point guard Mikel Brown Jr., a projected NBA lottery pick, and sixth-year forward Kasean Pryor, who had a limited role during his second go-around in the 502, have played their final game for the program.
Sananda Fru became Louisville’s first reported portal departure of the offseason March 30, but he can’t officially enter until it opens. Once he does, the 6-foot-11 German can take his time finding a new home. He could also withdraw his name, but programs are not obligated to hold scholarships/roster spots for entrants.
Keep this page bookmarked throughout the offseason to see which scholarship players Louisville is adding and losing.
Outgoing Louisville basketball transfers
Khani Rooths
Khani Rooths became Louisville’s second departure of the offseason March 31, when his representation with 20/20 Management told 247Sports’ Dushawn London the 6-10 forward will enter the portal when it opens. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
As a sophomore, Rooths appeared in 31 games (two starts) for the Cards and averaged 5.3 points on 44.9% shooting (22.4% from 3-point range), 4.3 rebounds and an assist across 15.9 minutes per appearance. He finished eight games with 10 or more points — including a career-high 20 during the season-opening win over South Carolina State — and tallied three double-doubles.
“I think I learned a lot this season,” Rooths told The Courier Journal after UofL lost to Michigan State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. “Especially having confidence in myself and being more vocal, speaking up when I needed to and asking for help when I needed it. And definitely leaving it out all on the floor, no matter what happens.”
In 69 games at Louisville from 2024-26, Rooths averaged 4.1 points on 42% shooting (22.1% from 3) and 3.6 rebounds across 14.7 minutes per contest.
Sananda Fru
Fru’s agent on March 30 told Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress he will enter the portal when it opens. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
Fru appeared in all 35 games (22.1 minutes per) during Year 2 of the Kelsey era — his first in the collegiate ranks after four spent professionally with Löwen Braunschweig in Basketball Bundesliga. He averaged nine points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 assists.
Fru’s 75.3% conversion rate (128 for 170) would have broken the program’s single-season record (68.1%, set by Felton Spencer in 1989-90), but he fell five attempts shy of qualifying. And, per BartTorvik.com, his 14.9% offensive rebounding rate ranked 27th nationally.
Fru tallied four double-doubles, including one in the Cards’ first-round NCAA Tournament win over South Florida, and 17 games with 10-plus points. During the final 10 games of the season, however, he averaged only 5.7 points and 5.1 rebounds across 19.9 minutes per.
“I think, in my second year, I will be even better,” Fru told The Courier Journal after UofL’s season ended in the second round of March Madness.
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 transfer portal updates, Pat Kelsey roster 26-27
About the Author
