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Khani Rooths: Louisville basketball player profile

Square Headshotby: David Hendren10/08/25HendrenDavid
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With a continued look into the 2025-26 Louisville Cardinals basketball roster, the sixth player in our basketball profile series is Khani Rooths. 

Previous player profiles: Sananda Fru, Mouhamed Camara, Kobe Rodgers, Aly Khalifa, Vangelis Zougris

During the 2024-25 season, 6-foot-10 forward Khani Rooths was the lone freshman on the team. With a team full of veterans, his minutes were up and down during the year, but one thing always remained consistent with him, and that was his approach. 

After the Louisville-Clemson matchup on January 7th, 2025, Coach Pat Kelsey had the following thoughts to share on Rooths (7:38): “I’ve said it many times, he’s a very mature freshman in his approach and his professionalism.” Kelsey also added that Rooths leads the charge on the bench and does so with a smile on his face. 

With that being said, Rooths embraced his role and grew in it during the season, but now is the time for him to try to carve out a bigger role with his sophomore season on the horizon. 

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Pat Kelsey’s Summer Update on Khani Rooths

During July 2025, Coach Kelsey met with the media and gave a summer update on the team. When asked about Khani Rooths, Kelsey said the following: “I’m super super high on Khani. You can see his growth. He’s become more and more of a gym guy.  He’s always been a gym guy; he’s in the gym, but he’s got that look about him where he’s consumed. He always plays with a ridiculous motor, he pursues the glass, great length, great defensive instincts. His offensive game is evolving, as well. He’s working on his three constantly. Keeping his game simple on the offensive end, executing actions. He’s got a firm understanding of who he is and who we are and how he fits into that. You can see that he is more comfortable this off-season versus last.”

Khani Rooths Offensive Scouting Report

Where the D.C. native hangs his hat offensively is with his play-finishing ability. Rooths is a dynamic athlete with high-level explosiveness. He finishes lobs and dunks around the rim, exploding through contact. He also excels as a rim-runner in transition. Occasionally, he can put the ball on the floor to slash, but is more comfortable attacking in a straight line than breaking down defenders with advanced dribble moves. 

He’s also a sneaky contributor on the offensive glass, averaging 1.0 offensive rebounds per game.

Where he can expand his game is as a perimeter threat. Last year, he shot the three at a below-average clip, shooting 23.1 percent from three on 1.5 attempts per game. His mechanics could use some refinement, as he has a ball-dip, which slows his shot, while also allowing his right elbow to flare out. More of a center alignment in his shooting motion would be beneficial, as his wind up places the ball slightly off to the left. Continuous repetition, especially in catch-and-shoot situations, will be valuable since his offensive usage is primarily off the ball.

However, with all of the shooting that will surround him, he will be able to find seams in the defense as a cutter on occasion.

Khani Rooths Defensive Scouting Report

Rooths oozes versatility on the defensive end with his combination of mobility, size, and motor. He’s engaged defensively and moves fluidly at his size, allowing him to defend multiple positions. However, he must become more consistent at the POA, as he sometimes gives up driving angles. In my viewings last season, he did have some positive flashes in this capacity, but becoming more consistent and improving his technique will raise his ceiling defensively. 

He’s also impactful on the defensive glass, not shying away from contact and crashing the glass hard. 

Overall, this is the side of the floor where Rooths can drive winning with his athleticism, motor, and size.

How does he fit in Louisville’s System?

The sophomore forward fits Louisville’s system with his intangibles. His motor and energy are what really make Rooths an asset to this team. He also has shown a willingness to be a complementary player, as he can play off the high-octane offensive firepower this roster possesses. He also has shown engagement on the defensive end, which is something this staff values, as well. 

Bottom Line: Overall, the sophomore forward is a tantalizing athlete with upside, with room for growth in terms of offensive polish. If he can continue to simplify his game and stick to his strengths, expect him to serve a role as a high-motored, play-finisher with defensive upside. Becoming more of a perimeter threat will help him earn more minutes, as well.

Credit: Synergy Sports & ACC Network




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