Massive Announcement: Louisville Cardinals Within Striking Distance for 6-foot-9 Star Forward, No. 9 Best Ranked Forward Available To Replace James Scott

The Louisville Cardinals are making noise in the transfer portal once again, this time targeting one of the top available forwards in the country—Nana Owusu-Anane. Already having made contact with the 6-foot-9, 215-pound standout, head coach Pat Kelsey and his staff are now in striking distance of landing a player who could immediately impact both ends of the floor. Ranked as the No. 9 best forward available and a 4-star transfer, Owusu-Anane could be the perfect replacement for James Scott, who recently entered the transfer portal.

Owusu-Anane, who originally committed to SMU before re-entering the portal, brings size, skill, and two-way versatility. Although he missed this past season due to a partially torn labrum, his last active campaign with Brown was nothing short of impressive. The Canadian forward averaged 14.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game—numbers that showcase his ability to fill up the stat sheet and influence the game in multiple ways.

What makes Owusu-Anane such a prized target is not just his size and stats, but his complete skill set. At Brown, he showed that he could be a reliable go-to scorer, hitting the 20-point mark five times during the 2023-24 season. He also tallied 11 double-doubles, establishing himself as a relentless rebounder and efficient finisher in the paint. One of his most eye-catching performances came against Princeton, where he delivered 19 points, 15 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals—all while shooting 72.7 percent from the field. That kind of performance highlights his potential to be a game-changer for a team in need of frontcourt production.

For Louisville, the timing couldn’t be better. After securing Aaron Bradshaw, the 7-foot-1 former 5-star recruit, Kelsey is looking to solidify his rotation in the paint. Bradshaw brings rim protection and length, while Owusu-Anane would add scoring punch, rebounding, and a physical presence down low. Together, they could form a formidable frontcourt pairing—one that gives Louisville the size, athleticism, and depth needed to compete at the highest level.

Owusu-Anane also fits the identity Kelsey is building—tough, active, and versatile players who can defend, run the floor, and contribute on both ends. The Cardinals have lacked a reliable scoring forward who can also defend the post and crash the glass consistently. If they can land Owusu-Anane, it would represent a major win in the portal and a key step toward replacing the production and energy James Scott brought to the floor.

The Cardinals are clearly being aggressive this offseason, and Owusu-Anane should be at the top of their wish list. With a proven track record, size, and high motor, he could be the missing piece to elevate this Louisville team back into national relevance.