Isaac McKneely: Louisville basketball player profile

With a continued look into the 2025-26 Louisville Cardinals basketball roster, the tenth player in our basketball profile series is Isaac McKneely. 

Previous player profiles: Sananda Fru, Mouhamed Camara, Kobe Rodgers, Aly Khalifa, Vangelis Zougris, Khani Rooths, J’Vonne Hadley, Adrian Wooley, Kasean Pryor

Coming into the 2025 offseason, one of the Louisville basketball staff’s priorities was finding a player who could slide into Reyne Smith’s offensive role as an elite spot-up shooter. Not only did Pat Kelsey do that with the transfer of Isaac McKneely, but, with no disrespect to Smith, he upgraded. 

Let me explain. 

In his three seasons at Virginia, McKneely was consistently one of the best shooters in the ACC and is coming off a junior season where he averaged 14.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists a game. He also shot 43.9 percent from the field, 42.1 percent from 3-point range, and 81.4 percent from the free throw line in 2024-25. 

I’ll give Smith the edge as a pure shooter and off the movement, but McKneely provides a larger toolkit with a 6-foot-4 frame. The Poca, West Virginia, native is more comfortable off the dribble, can get to his spots in the midrange, and has a higher athletic ability that makes him a versatile rebounder and a more physical presence inside the arc.

He chose the Cardinals over North Carolina and Tennessee in the portal and was one of the top-20 available transfers.

Pat Kelsey’s thoughts on Isaac McKneely 

“As a head coach, there are guys on every team you lose sleep over during preparation and scouting of the opposing team, and Isaac McKneely was 1000% one of those guys both times we played him this year,” said Kelsey. “One of his special gifts as a player is his ability to make shots, but his basketball IQ, athleticism, ability to pass and competitive nature are all strengths. Isaac comes from a very close-knit family that values what we value as a program. He is a selfless, faith driven young man who will be a major factor in our success both on the court and in the Louisville community.” — Kelsey on 4/11/25 

Isaac McKneely Offensive Scouting Report

McKneely has averaged double-figures in back-to-back seasons on a Virginia team that wasn’t necessarily known for its offensive prowess. He won’t be the primary option this year like he has been, but that will likely open things up for the senior, who will feel less pressure to handle the ball every possession. He was the ACC leader in 3-point percentage a year ago and totaled 101 makes from beyond the arc. McKneely made 50 more 3s than he did 2s. He was the only other player besides Smith to make 100+ 3s in the conference.

Not only does he bring high-caliber shot-making from the perimeter, but he’s also composed offensively. He’s comfortable as a secondary handler and passer, more than capable of being the No. 1 option at times, but also can fit into a role. This season, Louisville has shooters at plenty, but they don’t have many guys who have proven to be consistent at the ACC level. In his three years of college, McKneely has never shot below 39 percent from beyond the arc. 

His 7.5 attempts from behind the line will decrease this season, but his efficiency should not. He made six 3s last week in the Cards’ exhibition win over Bucknell. 

McKneely has a limitless range and is probably the best deep shooter on the team (Conwell could give him a run for his money). He made 20 3s of 25 feet or deeper. 

At Virginia, the Cavaliers ran a ton of off-ball screens to get him open, and the same will be the case with the Cardinals, but he’ll be out of the primary action more than he’s been in his career. This could end up going both ways, as he’ll be stationary in his favorite spots and a viable drive and kick option. Kelsey was one of the best coaches in the country at drawing up plays for his shooters after time-outs.

McKneely’s assist rate of 19.1 and just 1.5 turnovers a game were also impressive improvements in his game. That would have been the second-highest assist rate on the Louisville roster behind Chucky Hepburn. He is capable of making plays for his teammates off shot fakes and a couple of dribbles.

Isaac McKneely Defensive Scouting Report

He won’t lock guys down on the perimeter or anything like that, but McKneely positions himself well and is comfortable using his strength. 

In the Bucknell exhibition, the guard rose for an offensive rebound above the rim, where it looked like he might be attempting a put-back dunk. This came on the offensive end, but it was a flash of his overall athleticism, which can help him defend.

He won’t be massively productive at disrupting and adding steals or blocks, but McKneely won’t be picked on either. 

How does he fit in Louisville’s System?

It’s obvious that McKneely will be the team’s priority shooter. Meaning his looks off the catch will be valued the most by opponents. But McKneely is an all-around “basketball player” as Kelsey likes to say. He does the little things, is experienced, competitive, and won’t be a liability anytime he’s on the floor this season. 

I also anticipate Kelsey unleashing him in ATO situations as both a decoy and first read.

Bottom Line: Another experienced guard in this backcourt who will help Mikel Brown manage things throughout his freshman season, McKneely is more than just a shooter. He’ll be a pivotal piece of this year’s team offensively.