The Louisville Cardinals start their 2024-2025 campaign today in Paris, France as they face the Bruins of UCLA in the Aflac Oui-Play. Before tip-off, let’s get to know this year’s Louisville Cardinal Freshman.

After criticism last season for lack of freshman, this year’s roster includes a total of 8 newcomers and a redshirt freshman in Eseosa Imafidon. The 6’5” center played at Proctor Academy and helped lead them to 14-7 in the NEPSAC Class AA League to be one of the best prep leagues in the region. While she has no stats from last season as a Cardinal, in her 2021-2022 season, she was averaging 14.1 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game.

Daughter of NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas will be making an appearance at the Yum! Center this season when he stops by to watch daughter Izela suit up for the Cards. The 5’9” guard played in the Jordan Brand Classic with teammates Tajianna Roberts and Mackenly Randolph and won the Queen of the Court event in 2023. The four-star recruit played for Sierra Canyon with Mackenly Randolph and their team was ranked no. 1 in the country their junior season.

Mackenly Randolph, daughter of NBA All-Star Zach Randolph, is a 6’0” forward and 2024 McDonald’s All-American. She holds the program record at Sierra Canyon for points all-time and rebounds all-time. She stacked up the accolades as a five-star prospect as a Third Team Naismith Trophy All-American and played with the USA Basketball Women’s U17 National Team who won a gold medal at the U17 FIBA World Cup. Randolph also competed with USA Basketball at the 2024 Women’s Nike Hoop Summit.

Tajianna Roberts is a 5’10” guard hailing from IMG Academy. Roberts is a five-star prospect and ranked No. 24 overall by Hoop Gurlz. She was a 2024 Naismith Trophy Honorable Mention All-America, and advanced to the finals of the 2024 State Farm 3-point shootout in Phoenix. Roberts also led Team South to a championship at the 2023 Nike World Basketball Festival. She averaged 14 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in her junior season.

Coming to Louisville from Clarksville, Tennessee, 5’10” guard Imari Berry was a five-star recruit who was the highest ranked player in the state of Tennessee. She has made the ACC Newcomer Watch List, she’s a 2024 McDonald’s All-American, the 2024 Tennessee Girls Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year, and 2024 Tennessee 4A Ms. Basketball. She led Clarksville to an undefeated season in her senior year and decided on Louisville over Kentucky and North Carolina.

Rebekah Graves was the 2024 4-6A Defensive Player of the Year and played for Keller High School in Texas. I wouldn’t expect us to see too much of Graves on the court this season, but she has the potential to make a major impact moving forward. 

Anaya Hardy is a 6’3” forward who scored 28 points and tallied 12 rebounds in the Detroit Public School Championship Game. During her senior season, Hardy averaged 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks. She has also recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 11 blocks. I would expect Anaya to make an immediate impact for this year’s Louisville team.

Hailing from Austrailia, Isla Juffermans is a 6’4” forward who was named MVP of the 2022 FIBA U18 Women’s Asian Championship. She has won Defensive Player of the Year at the U20 Australian Championship  and was MVP at the 2023 New South Wales Championship. At the FIBA U19 World Cup, she averaged 10.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. After playing 16 games with the NBL One Australian League in 2024, she averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Last, but never least, is local star Reagan Bender. She played four years as a starter for Sacred Heart scoring 1,818 points and was a finalist for Miss Basketball. During her time as a Valkyrie, she helped her team win four straight state championships and was named to the all-tournament team. During her senior year, Bender averaged 13.4 points, 3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.

Amongst the freshman class, I would expect to see 4-5 receive significant playing time this year as they’ll have an immediate impact. My best advice when watching this year’s team is give them time to gel. They’re young, but will learn their place quick. The team we watch against UCLA will not be the same team we watch in ACC battles mid-January. 

In other news, our first post-game show will be on November 16th when Louisville travels to Lexington to face Kenny Brooks and the Wildcats. Be sure to follow myself, and Dave Scull on social media for more post-game updates!

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Chrissy Banta

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