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Khani Rooths transferred from Washington (D.C.) Georgetown Prep to national powerhouse prep program IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, before his junior season. During December 2022’s Hoophall West event, Rooths averaged four blocks per game. “I defend everything, and I take pride in that,” Rooths told On3’s Joe Tipton. “I can attack the rim well, draw fouls, and get to the line. I’m versatile and can play multiple positions. I want to improve the most with my catch-and-shoot threes.” Rooths said he credits a lot of his success as a player from his grandfather, who coached women’s basketball on a number of different levels. “He taught me to find ways to really affect the game,” Rooths told ProspectiveInsight.com. “Sometimes my shot is not going, so I’ve learned from him to find ways to get my teammates open. He also taught me to be really aggressive as much as I can and just show people that I am him.” Rooths said he enjoys watching LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and Paul George. “I like the way Paul George plays, how he lets the game come to him, but he can still take it over. How LeBron knows everything like his knowledge of the game and how he knows what his teammates are going to do, how he can just control the tempo and stuff like that. Jayson Tatum, how he can take his man anytime he wants to get a bucket anytime.”

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Louisville Cardinals

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CHARLOTTE, N.C.  — Louisville's 78-73 loss to Miami (FL) in Thursday's ACC Tournament quarterfinals ended up being one of the most physically

Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Miami (FL) Hurricanes guard Tru Washington (10) with the ball as Louisville Cardinals guard Isaac McKneely (10) and Louisville Cardinals guard J'vonne Hadley (1) defend in the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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How it happened: Miami's length and athleticism too much for Louisville in ACC Tournament

Louisville fell short to Miami on Thursday afternoon, 78-73, in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.  Head coach Pat Kelsey discussed the free-throw and

Mar 12, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey reacts to a call during the second half against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

VIDEO: Louisville's Pat Kelsey speaks following Miami loss

With less than 1:30 remaining in the game and down 57-58, the Cardinals looked to their senior guard Ryan Conwell to get them across the finish line,

Mar 11, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Vangelis Zougris (53) reacts late in the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Vangelis Zougris and Ryan Conwell lead late surge over SMU

Louisville looks to end its struggles in its final home contest. Squaring up against Syracuse, the Cardinals look to improve on their strong 14-2

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How can Louisville get back on track and beat Syracuse?

With 8:49 left, Louisville's Khani Rooths threw a costly, or even careless, pass that led to a turnover and a wide-open made three for Clemson.

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The Louisville Cardinals look towards their bench Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, during the NCAA men’s basketball game against the Clemson Tigers at Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, South Carolina.

Louisville's offense stalls in loss at Clemson

Editor’s Note: Introducing Cardinal Sports Insider. Moving forward, specifically throughout the basketball season, the Cardinal Sports Insider will

Louisville Cardinals guard Isaac McKneely (10) passes the ball against SMU Saturday at the KFC Yum! Center. Jan. 31, 2026

Cardinal Sports Insider: Isaac McKneely goes unnoticed, Louisville changes the pace

The University of Louisville men's basketball team travels to Texas and takes on the Big 12's Baylor Bears on Saturday before restarting ACC play

Louisville Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey signed a fan's Adidas shoe after the Cards beat NC State in ACC basketball February 9, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky.© Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

VIDEO: Louisville's Pat Kelsey, Khani Rooths, and Aly Khalifa preview Baylor

Louisville basketball hasn’t been in too many close games under second-year head coach Pat Kelsey.   Under his guidance, the Cardinals are 44-0

Louisville senior shooting guard Ryan Conwell and the Cardinals host NC State at 7 p.m. Monday. 

Ryan Conwell

Louisville showing growth, proves it late at Wake Forest

Louisville's versatile forward combo of Khani Rooths and J'Vonne Hadley led the Louisville Cardinals to victory over Wake Forest, 88-80.   Louisville

Feb 7, 2026; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard J'vonne Hadley (1) drives to the basket against Wake Forest Demon Deacons guard Myles Colvin (6) during the first half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Khani Rooths and J'Vonne Hadley lead Louisville to victory over Wake Forest

WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA — It wasn’t easy.   24th-ranked Louisville’s wire-to-wire 88-80 road conference win over Wake Forest was one in which

Feb 7, 2026; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Mikel Brown Jr. (0) handles the ball against Wake Forest Demon Deacons forward Marqus Marion (11) during the second half at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

How it happened: No. 24 Louisville closes out Wake Forest in final minutes

Feb 4, 2026; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey talks with guard Mikel Brown Jr. (0) during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Notre Dame 76-65. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

Cardinal Sports Insider: Pat Kelsey's adjustments, better play lead the way in Louisville's improvements

One of the ultimate turning points of the 2025-26 Louisville basketball season was when sophomore wing Khani Rooths returned from his three-week

Khani Rooths breakout

Khani Rooths 'blossoming' at the right time for Louisville basketball

Louisville's team has been associated with its backcourt the majority of the season, but the frontcourt is what led the team to victory over Notre

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Feb 4, 2026; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Khani Rooths (9) reacts after making a shot during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Notre Dame 76-65. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

Louisville's frontcourt guides Cards past Notre Dame

No. 24 Louisville defeated Notre Dame on Wednesday night 76-65, bringing its record to 16-6 (6-4) on the season.  Pat Kelsey discussed the depth of

Feb 4, 2026; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey calls out instructions during the second half agains the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at KFC Yum! Center. Louisville defeated Notre Dame 76-65. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

VIDEO: Louisville's Pat Kelsey, Isaac McKneely, and Sananda Fru following victory over Notre Dame

For the second game in a row, 24th-ranked Louisville was the more rugged team, and for the second game in a row, Louisville has won while not

Louisville Cardinals forward Kasean Pryor (7) celebrates after scoring against Notre Dame in the second half at the KFC Yum! Center Wednesday night Feb. 4, 2026

How it happened: No. 24 Louisville bullies Notre Dame

Louisville was forced to respond following a historic road loss at No. 4 Duke, and did it with an emphatic second half in an 88-74 win over SMU.

Louisville Cardinals forward Khani Rooths (9) celebrates slamming the ball home for two against SMU Saturday at the KFC Yum! Center. Jan. 31, 2026

How it happened: Bench pushes Louisville past SMU

As a young college basketball fan, I remember thinking of Louisville as one of the toughest, most rugged, and physical programs in the country. 

Jan 6, 2026; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey reacts during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

Louisville basketball in 2026: Where's the nasty?

Louisville started Monday night’s contest at No. 4 Duke with promise. It didn’t end that way, as the Cardinals left Cameron Indoor Stadium in an

Jan 26, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Patrick Ngongba II (21) drives to the basket as Louisville Cardinals guard J'Vonne Hadley (1) defends during the first half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

How it happened: Louisville blasted by Duke, dominated on interior

Pat Kelsey's 23rd-ranked Louisville team had a big week off. And not just because it's the only period of conference play when the Cardinals will

Jan 24, 2026; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Mikel Brown Jr. (0) dribbles against Virginia Tech Hokies guard Neoklis Avdalas (17) during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

How it happened: No. 23 Louisville soars past Virginia Tech in Mikel Brown's return

Desperate for a win at Pittsburgh, 20th-ranked Louisville played that way in Saturday night's 100-59 win over the Panthers.  It was a much-needed

Jan 17, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Omari Witherspoon (8) drives to the basket against Louisville Cardinals guard Adrian Wooley (14) during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

How it happened: No. 20 Louisville smacks Pittsburgh

Jan 2, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Khani Rooths (9) dunks the ball during the first half against Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images

Cardinal Sports Insider: What does Louisville do at power forward?

Louisville lost one home game in conference play last season.  Since the start of 2026, the Cardinals have fallen twice to ACC opponents on the Yum!

Jan 13, 2026; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Virginia Cavaliers center Johann Gruenloh (17) tries to steal the ball from Louisville Cardinals guard Ryan Conwell (3) during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. Virginia defeated Louisville 79-70. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

How it happened: Louisville keeps stumbling, falls to Virginia

After Louisville's last performance against the Duke Blue Devils, there was some built-up anticipation for how the Cardinals would respond.

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Jan 10, 2026; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Sananda Fru (13) and forward Khani Rooths (9) double team Boston College Eagles guard Aidan Shaw (23) during the first half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

Louisville’s front court responds in the second half to defeat Boston College

Dec 30, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; Louisville Cardinals Pat Kelsey reacts to a foul call against his team during the second half against the California Golden Bears at Haas Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Cardinal Sports Insider: Pat Kelsey's game of lineup whack-a-mole

The Louisville Cardinals suffered their third loss of the season Friday night to Stanford, 80-76. This brings the Cardinals' record to 11-3 on the

Jan 2, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal guard Ebuka Okorie (1) goes for a layup against Louisville Cardinals guard Ryan Conwell (3) during the second half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images