CRAWFORD | Kelsey keeps stacking pieces as Iowa's Folgueiras commits to Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Pat Kelsey keeps adding length, versatility and proven production to Louisville's roster.

Former Iowa forward Alvaro Folgueiras committed to the Cardinals out of the NCAA transfer portal, according to multiple reports, giving Louisville another experienced piece for the 2026–27 season.

Folgueiras, a 6-foot-10-inch forward originally from Spain, is expected to have one season of eligibility remaining. He arrives after a winding but productive college path that began at Robert Morris, where he developed into one of the Horizon League's top players. He was named the league's Player of the Year in 2024–25 after averaging 14.1 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting nearly 55% from the field and better than 40% from three-point range.

He transferred to Iowa last season and carved out a key role off the bench under first-year coach Ben McCollum, averaging 8.4 points and 3.6 rebounds. His impact grew in March, when he reached double figures in three of Iowa's four NCAA Tournament games, including 16 points in a Sweet 16 win over Nebraska. The highlight was a three-pointer with 4.5 seconds left that eliminated defending national champion Florida in the second round.

Folgueiras' background adds an international thread to Kelsey's evolving roster, and another player with a track record of production at multiple levels. He was ranked among the top 60 players in the portal this cycle by On3 and considered one of the more skilled forwards available.

The addition continues an aggressive offseason for Kelsey, who has leaned heavily into the portal to reshape Louisville's roster after a return to the NCAA Tournament last season. With expectations rising, the emphasis has shifted from rebuilding to building something deeper — and more dangerous.

Folgueiras fits that mold: a stretch forward with rebounding instincts, postseason experience and a history of finding ways to produce, whether as a featured option or a complementary piece.

He joins a portal class that includes Kansas forward Flory Bidunga and Oregon guard Jackson Shelstad – both ranked in the top 10 of portal players this cycle – as well as former Arkansas forward Karter Knox. The Cardinals also secured the return of guard Adrian Wooley this week, and expect to have former G-League point guard London Johnson, who joined the team last season at the semester break.