5 Louisville Basketball players you need to know for this season

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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We take a look at five Louisville basketball players that you should know more about going into this season.

The Louisville basketball team is looking to get back to the post-season this year after having to sit out because of a self-imposed ban. The Cards could have been one of the teams in the Final Four last season, as the NCAA Tournament held a ton of upsets as Villanova ended up winning that championship. Who would have guessed that?

Louisville will be looking to replace three key players this season as Damion Lee, Trey Lewis, and Chinanu Onuaku have all moved on to play professional basketball. It’s definitely possible, but those are a ton of points and minutes for head coach Rick Pitino to fill after one offseason.

If anyone can coach up an average team, it’s Rick Pitino. However, this isn’t an average team. They are just unproven and looking to make an impact in the ACC. With players like Quentin Snider and Mangkok Mathiang, the Cards have great leadership going into the 2016-2017 season with a tough regular season schedule awaiting.

The good news is that normally teams that go through a tough schedule, come out strong on the other side. We could be looking at another deep post-season run from the Cardinals this season.

Jan 24, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pennsylvania Quakers guard Tony Hicks (11) drives between Saint Joseph

Tony Hicks

Guard, University of Louisville

The Cardinals will be hoping that Hicks can come in and be the same type of player and person that Damion Lee and Trey Lewis were last year for Louisville. The 6-foot-1 guard will look to continue his scoring frenzy in a tough ACC conference through this season.

This is what Louisville’s Athletic website had to say about Hicks in his bio:

Graduate transfer led Penn in scoring as a sophomore and junior and earned All-Ivy League honorable mention honors during his freshman and junior years.

Enrolled in graduate school at UofL after completing his sociology degree at Penn in May.

Totaled 1,060 career points in three seasons while starting 64 games for the Quakers. He has connected on 107-of-308 three-pointers in three seasons (347) and 78.1 percent of his free throws (217-of-278)

Completed his degree in sociology at Penn while sitting out the 2015-16 season.

If Hicks can be the scoring threat he was as Penn, then Louisville has an opportunity to be very good in 2016-2017.

V.J. King

Forward, University of Louisville

This kid is the real deal and head coach Rick Pitino is very lucky to have him on the roster. King comes in as a McDonald’s All-American and one of the highest rated Forwards in this year’s freshman class. he will contribute right away for the Cards.

This is what Louisville’s Athletic website had to say about King in his bio:

A McDonald’s All-America selection, King averaged 22.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.1 steals as a senior last season in leading Paul VI (20-11) in Fairfax, Va. to the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division I state championship game.

  The Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year also earned all-state and all-conference honors. He was ranked No. 20 nationally by Scout.com, No. 23 in the ESPN 100, 26th by Rivals.com, and 27th by 247Sports.com.

  Participated in the prestigious McDonald’s All-America game at the United Center in Chicago and the Jordan Brand Classic at the Barclays Center in New York, totaling 15 points, four rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes in the latter event.

  Originally from North Carolina, King moved to Akron, Ohio, where he played at St. Vincent-St. Mary — the alma mater of LeBron James — through his sophomore season before transferring.   He averaged 16.2 points as a sophomore in helping SVSM to a 19-10 record and the 2013 Ohio Division II State Tournament semifinals.

Here’s to hoping that King will become the next LeBron James. Well, at least a little bit like the King.

Feb 27, 2016; Coral Gables, FL, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles the ball as Miami Hurricanes guard James Palmer (12) defends during the first half at BankUnited Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Donovan Mitchell

Guard, University of Louisville

Mitchell is looking for more minutes and opportunities on the court in his sophomore season for the Cardinals. He is clearly one of the more athletic players in college basketball and is improving by the year. Mitchell is going to be fun to watch this season in a larger role for the Cards. I’m sure we will be seeing him on SportsCenters’ top ten plays multiple times in 2016-2017.

This is what Louisville’s Athletic website had to say about Mitchell in his bio:

Averaged 14.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 steals in 2014-15, helping Brewster Academy to a 34-1 record and its second straight National Prep Championship in 2015.

Was ranked No. 17 nationally by Scout.com (#2 shooting guard), No. 31 by Rivals.com, No. 34 by 247Sports.com and No. 43 in the ESPN 100.

Scored a season-high 29 points with eight rebounds and five assists against St. Thomas More.

MVP of two high school all-star games. He was the White Team MVP in the 2015 Kentucky Derby Festival Classic with 21 points, six steals, two rebounds and two assists while winning the dunk contest. He totaled 30 points, nine steals, three rebounds and three assists (12-of-19 FG) as the MVP of the 2015 Jordan Brand Classic Regional Game.

Louisville needs Mitchell to be at the top of his game this year, as the Cardinals have a brutal regular season schedule. If he has improved as much as has been reported, then he should be one of the ACC’s top players by the end of the season.

Feb 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Louisville Cardinals forward Deng Adel (22) dribbles the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Deng Adel

Forward, University of Louisville

Adel is one of the players that Pitino constantly talks about how great he is coming along and developing. Not to mention, Adel was coming along great at the end of last season, which is why is was a shame that the Cardinals had to sit out the NCAA tournament. In a crazy March, who knows how far the Cards could have gone.

He now turns to his sophomore season and is looking at being a starter. He and fellow teammate V.J. King are going to give opposing teams fits as they are super athletic and great scoring threats. Let’s see how well these two young guys can develop alongside each other.

Here are some highlights from Adel’s freshman season at Louisville:

Adel will be looking to take the Cardinals to a higher level this season.

Feb 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Quentin Snider (2) dribbles the ball against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the first half at the Petersen Events Center. Louisville won 67-60. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Quentin Snider

Guard, University of Louisville

Snider is one of the Cardinals oldest and most-experienced players on the current roster. He does a great job of distributing the basketball and giving his teammates great scoring opportunities. Snider may be the biggest key to Louisville’s success this season.

This is what Jeff Greer from the Courier- Journal had to say about Snider:

“After jumping into the starting point guard spot late in the 2014-15 season, Snider was far more prepared to take the reins of Louisville’s team for the 2015-16 campaign. He started 24 of Louisville’s 31 games and averaged 27.8 minutes a contest.

As is usually the case with increased minutes, Snider’s numbers went up across the board, but they also reflected the hard work the 6-foot-1 guard put in on his jump shot last offseason. Snider averaged 9.4 points, 3.5 assists, 2.3 rebounds and just 1.3 turnovers per game. His shooting percentage, with 104 more attempts, went up 5.3 points, and his 3-point shooting percentage went up 12 points.

As far as intangibles go, Snider became more of a presence in the locker room, and he has been named a co-captain with Mathiang for the 2016-17 season. That’s a big note, as Snider was perhaps the quietest player on the team as a freshman.”

Like Greer noted, Snider has improved his jump shot big time. While the Cards don’t need him to score to win, his ability to score is what can send Louisville into the top of the rankings this season. Don’t be surprised if this is Snider’s best season as a Cardinal.