BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: LOUISVILLE

June 13, 2007

VERBAL COMMITMENT ALERT: Samardo Samuels (BF/C), St. Benedict's (NJ)


Projected 2008-2009 Roster


Seniors: Andre McGee (PG), Terrence Williams (SF)
Juniors: Edgar Sosa (G), Jerry Smith (G), Derrick Caracter (BF), Earl Clark (G/F)
Sophomores: George Goode (F), Clarence Holloway (C), Preston Knowles (G)
Freshmen: Melquan Bolding (G), Samardo Samuels (BF/C)


With commitments and de-commitments, it has already been a busy 2008 recruiting class for Rick Pitino. Early commitments from Melquan Bolding, Martez Walker and Jeff Withey have led to de-commitments from Walker and Withey, but yesterday the Cards showed the kind of recruiting power they have with Rick Pitino as To Recruit Samardo Samuels Commits to Louisville (Louisville Courier-Journal).



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With Juan Palacios, David Padgett and Terrence Farley graduating after the 2007-2008 season, the Louisville Cardinals had some big shoes to fill in their frontcourt and that opportunity for immediate playing time helped seal the deal with elite prospect Samardo Samuels shortly after a weekend trip to Louisville. Samuels verbally committed to Louisville yesterday and joins Melquan Bolding in the Cardinal class of 2009.

Samuels currently plays for coach Danny Hurley at St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, NJ and runs with the Metro Hawks AAU program out of the NYC-area. The 6'9, 230 lb Samuels picked Louisville over North Carolina and Connecticut. Before taking his unofficial visit to Louisville last Friday and Saturday, it was reported that Samuels was leaning towards North Carolina and planned on making another stop at Connecticut, at least. However, that all changed once he visited Louisville:

To tell you the truth, I thought it was just another trip,” Samuels said of his expectations. “But when I went down there and started seeing things and picturing things happening and what can I do at this place, it was perfect.”

The commitment by Samuels is a huge step toward the Cardinals landing a top recruiting class. Samuels is friends with another top U of L target, Tyreke Evans, who is a top-five player and is looking seriously at the Cardinals. On paper, the Cards have two scholarships left to give and Evans is their #1 perimeter target. They still need help in the frontcourt and the list of players they are interested in is impressive: Angel Garcia (in this past weekend for visit), Greg Monroe(considered the nation's top player), Darius Miller (Mason County standout) as well as forwards Ed Davis, Romero Osby, Chris Singleton and Steve Tchiengang and centers Eloy Vargas and Edgar Gariby.


Now, the key is 'on paper' Louisville has two scholarships remaining. As with any Rick Pitino team, the Cards are loaded next year with impressive athletes with pro potential. Candidates to at least test the NBA waters include Terrence Williams, Derrick Caracter and Earl Clark. A strong season by Edgar Sosa could also have him tempted to audition for the NBA a year from now. With that in mind, expect the Cardinals to 'over-recruit' their roster, especially with a frontcourt prospect. Stay tuned...