Kaleb Glenn

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Every member of Kenny Payne's final University of Louisville men's basketball team departed when the program transitioned to new coach Pat Kelsey a year ago.

They were looking for a fresh start. They were looking for increased roles. They were looking for place where they could win.

News flash: Many of them are still looking.

At least seven players from that 2024 U of L squad entered the transfer portal again. Four have settled on new homes.

The fourth was announced Tuesday morning. Former Cardinal guard Mike James is leaving North Carolina State for Vanderbilt.

Injuries interrupted James' career multiple times. He missed his freshman year at Louisville after tearing his Achilles' tendon in October 2021. He played two seasons for the Cards, averaging 10.1 and 12.6 points.

James joined U of L teammate Brandon Huntley-Hatfield by transferring to North Carolina State last summer. But James suffered a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery and missed the entire Wolfpack season. N.C. State went 12-19, finishing 16th in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Wolfpack fired Kevin Keatts, replacing him with Will Wade as their head coach. 


Now, James is headed to Nashville to play for Mark Byington, who led Vandy to a 20-13 record and first-round NCAA Tournament loss this season.

Three other former Cardinals have picked their teams for the 2025-26 season, and three others have yet to pick their new schools:

Kaleb Glenn

A former Male High School star, Glenn will return to the power conference level, moving from Florida Atlantic to Michigan State.

Glenn did more to upgrade his profile than any of his former teammates. At FAU, Glenn became a 41% three-point shooter, making 48 of 114. He averaged 12.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Tom Izzo is likely to plug Glenn into a frontcourt starting spot next season.

JJ Traynor

After one season at DePaul, Traynor will play his sixth and final season at Murray State.

He started 10 games for the Blue Demons. He averaged 5.6 points and 3.3 rebounds, making 31% of his shots from distance.

Tre White

White will be a four-schools-in-four-years player. He came to Louisville from Southern Cal and then left for Illinois. White will complete his college career at Kansas for Bill Self.

White averaged 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds as a part-time starter for the Illinois team that lost to Kentucky in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Curtis Williams

Williams is leaving Georgetown after one unsatisfying season in Washington. He averaged 4.7 points and 1.8 rebounds while making 40.6% of his field goal attempts.

He started three games for the Hoyas, who failed to make the NCAA Tournament.

Ty-Laur Johnson

The former Louisville point guard started 19 games for Wake Forest, but it was not enough for him to find happiness in Winston-Salem.

Johnson returned to the portal after averaging 6.1 points and 2.7 assists for the Demon Deacons, who missed the NCAA Tournament.

Emmanuel Okorafor

Okorafor will also finish his career at a new school. After two seasons at Louisville and one at Seton Hall, Okorafor entered the transfer portal.

He started nine games at Seton Hall, which finished 7-25 overall and last in the Big East. Okorafor averaged 2.8 points and 2.4 rebounds.

Louisville Basketball Coverage:

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'The best is yet to come': Louisville's Kelsey breaks down his Year 2 roster

CRAWFORD | From whirlwind to goosebumps, Kelsey reflects on Louisville's revival

CRAWFORD | An eventful year for Louisville's Pat Kelsey ends with $1 million raise

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