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There's been a change to Louisville basketball's itinerary for next week's trip to the Bahamas.
Instead of playing two exhibitions on back-to-back days against teams from the Caribbean country, the Cardinals will play only one — 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, at Baha Mar Convention, Arts and Entertainment Center in Nassau, a source close to the program told The Courier Journal.
Why the change? The source said freshman center Obinna Ekezie Jr. and junior wing Karter Knox are not expected to play as they continue to work their way back from injuries.
Ekezie underwent shoulder surgery "several months ago," coach Pat Kelsey told reporters June 22. Knox had his sophomore season at Arkansas cut short by a procedure to repair the meniscus in his left knee in February. Both participated in the portion of practice Thursday, July 23, that was open to the media, but the roughly 30-minute period did not include any full-contact scrimmaging — just stretching and some skill work.
With Ekezie and Knox likely out, UofL will be down to a nine-man rotation — 10 including sophomore walk-on guard Will Hanke. Of those players, only Hanke and junior guard Adrian Wooley logged minutes for Kelsey in 2025-26.
Knox is one of Louisville's six new additions by way of the NCAA transfer portal. Appearing in 22 games for the Razorbacks as a sophomore, the 6-foot-6 native of Tampa, Florida, averaged 8.1 points on 46% shooting, (37.7% from 3-point range), 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists across 22 minutes per contest.
On June 22, Kelsey told reporters he was hopeful Knox would be fully cleared "within the next week or two." His brief appearance in a video from a scrimmage the Cards shared to X, formerly Twitter, a few days ago suggests that timeline held up.
"It was definitely a little crazy for me — first-ever surgery in my life," Knox said June 22. "I'm almost there, almost at that finish line — close to full contact. I've been getting stronger every day, going to physical therapy and getting it right."
Ekezie, a 7-foot-2 Nigerian who reclassified to begin his college career a year ahead of schedule, is one of three freshman on the roster — UofL's largest crop of first-year players since Kelsey was handed the reins of the program in 2024. He arrived on campus as the top player at his position in the Class of 2026 on the 247Sports Composite.
Kelsey told reporters June 22 that Ekezie was "a little bit further off" than Knox in his recovery. He then proceeded to praise how engaged the son of NBA veteran Obinna Ekezie has been during summer workouts despite his limitations.
"Obi is on the floor every single day, and you have to get him off," Kelsey said. "And then, afterwards, he wants to walk through every single concept that we walk through. (He's) asking questions constantly."
Unfortunately, you won't be able to watch Louisville's exhibition against the Bahamians — or follow along on the radio. That's why you should stay tuned to The Courier Journal, which will have boots on the ground in Nassau for an inside look at what should be a formative experience for a team with lofty expectations.
Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at [email protected] and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville basketball cuts Bahamas trip down to 1 exhibition game
Continue reading...
Instead of playing two exhibitions on back-to-back days against teams from the Caribbean country, the Cardinals will play only one — 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, at Baha Mar Convention, Arts and Entertainment Center in Nassau, a source close to the program told The Courier Journal.
Why the change? The source said freshman center Obinna Ekezie Jr. and junior wing Karter Knox are not expected to play as they continue to work their way back from injuries.
Ekezie underwent shoulder surgery "several months ago," coach Pat Kelsey told reporters June 22. Knox had his sophomore season at Arkansas cut short by a procedure to repair the meniscus in his left knee in February. Both participated in the portion of practice Thursday, July 23, that was open to the media, but the roughly 30-minute period did not include any full-contact scrimmaging — just stretching and some skill work.
With Ekezie and Knox likely out, UofL will be down to a nine-man rotation — 10 including sophomore walk-on guard Will Hanke. Of those players, only Hanke and junior guard Adrian Wooley logged minutes for Kelsey in 2025-26.
Knox is one of Louisville's six new additions by way of the NCAA transfer portal. Appearing in 22 games for the Razorbacks as a sophomore, the 6-foot-6 native of Tampa, Florida, averaged 8.1 points on 46% shooting, (37.7% from 3-point range), 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists across 22 minutes per contest.
On June 22, Kelsey told reporters he was hopeful Knox would be fully cleared "within the next week or two." His brief appearance in a video from a scrimmage the Cards shared to X, formerly Twitter, a few days ago suggests that timeline held up.
"It was definitely a little crazy for me — first-ever surgery in my life," Knox said June 22. "I'm almost there, almost at that finish line — close to full contact. I've been getting stronger every day, going to physical therapy and getting it right."
Ekezie, a 7-foot-2 Nigerian who reclassified to begin his college career a year ahead of schedule, is one of three freshman on the roster — UofL's largest crop of first-year players since Kelsey was handed the reins of the program in 2024. He arrived on campus as the top player at his position in the Class of 2026 on the 247Sports Composite.
Kelsey told reporters June 22 that Ekezie was "a little bit further off" than Knox in his recovery. He then proceeded to praise how engaged the son of NBA veteran Obinna Ekezie has been during summer workouts despite his limitations.
"Obi is on the floor every single day, and you have to get him off," Kelsey said. "And then, afterwards, he wants to walk through every single concept that we walk through. (He's) asking questions constantly."
Unfortunately, you won't be able to watch Louisville's exhibition against the Bahamians — or follow along on the radio. That's why you should stay tuned to The Courier Journal, which will have boots on the ground in Nassau for an inside look at what should be a formative experience for a team with lofty expectations.
Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at [email protected] and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville basketball cuts Bahamas trip down to 1 exhibition game
Continue reading...
