LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Ty-Laur Johnson, who had a promising freshman season at point guard for the University of Louisville before transferring in the aftermath of Kenny Payne’s firing, has landed at an ACC foe.
Johnson announced Saturday that he’ll play next season at Wake Forest, first reported by Joe Tipton of On3Sports.
The 6-foot freshman averaged 8.7 points and 3.6 assists per game. He came into his own as the season progressed, and his speed and ability to get into the lane gave Louisville an added dimension.
After the season-ending loss in the ACC Tournament, Johnson said his postseason goal would be to “get my shot right,” referring to his 12-62 (19.4 percent) shooting from behind the three-point line.
He’s one of several Louisville players who will line up against their old team next season in ACC play.
Teammates Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and Mike James will join former Louisville assistant coach Kevin Keatts at North Carolina State, fresh off a Cinderella run to the ACC Tournament championship and Final Four.
Louisville’s starting backcourt last season, meanwhile, is headed for the Big Ten. Skyy Clark has signed on with Mick Cronin at UCLA and Tre White will play at Illinois.
Three other Cardinal freshman last season have found new teams: Kaleb Glenn at Florida Atlantic, Curtis Williams at Georgetown and, after gaining medical clearance, Dennis Evans at Grand Canyon.
Senior JJ Traynor has signed with DePaul. Danilo Jovanovich, who transferred to Louisville from Miami, will play next season for Milwaukee.
The lone two Louisville players to enter the portal who have yet to sign with another school are center Emmanuel Okorafor and guard Koron Davis, who was dismissed from the team at the semester break last season.
New Louisville coach Pat Kelsey has wasted no time in replenishing the roster. He has added eight players via the transfer portal, seven of whom will play next season. They’re led by Wisconsin point guard Chucky Hepburn and James Madison scorer Terrence Edwards. Loren Johnson of Washington and Aboubacar Traore of Long Beach State are former four-star recruits, as is Colorado’s J’Vonne Hadley. Two players — Reyne Smith and James Scott — followed Kelsey from College of Charleston.
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
