Coach Rick Pitino took to the stage today to announce a couple of changes for next year’s Cardinals.
First Pitino officially announced Kevin Ware and Luke Hancock to the Louisville roster. Ware, a former Tennessee commit, will add the versatility of playing two positions to an already excellent class. Hancock is a transfer from George Mason and will sit out this year, but still has two years of eligibility remaining.
Coach Pitino was very keen on the two additions, praising Ware’s versatility and Hancock’s hardwork and determination.
Pitino also announced that three Louisville players would lose scholarship status and come back next season as walk-ons. Seniors Kyle Kuric, Chris Smith, and sophomore Elisha Justice will lose the scholarships that have in the past had. The three earned the scholarships previously, but Pitino knew he had only 13 scholarships for 18 players.
Pitino commented, “We’ve been upfront with everybody, matter of fact this is the opposite way. Those guys weren’t supposed to be on scholarship and they were.”
Finally, Pitino guaranteed that his son Richard, who returned this summer as a coach, is under contract for two years and wouldn’t be headed to Boston University where he was rumored to be in the running for a head coaching spot.
Today’s press conference showed that despite losing his prized committment for 2012 Rodney Purvis, Louisville Basketball is still as strong as ever with a still strengthening 2011 class.
