Louisville women's basketball to honor 4 seniors Thursday night

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Four seniors who traveled different paths will play their final home game for Louisville women's basketball Thursday when the Cardinals host Clemson.

In an age when it will likely become more and more rare for players to stay four years at the same school, UofL has a pair of players who both stayed five years.

Merissah Russell who arrived from Ontario, Canada and Olivia Cochran who hailed from Columbus, Georgia, both got to Louisville during the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns.

They have been a part of three Elite Eight teams and one Final Four squad and have been roommates and best friends through the ups and downs.

"This place has helped me mature in places I never thought I'd mature in," Cochran said. "I'm just so thankful for it."

There are also two transfers playing their final home games. Jayda Curry has been with UofL for two years after playing two years at California.

"Last year was really like a transition period that I struggled with," Curry said. "But just really proud of where I'm at now and having gone through that for sure."

And Ja'Leah Williams is finishing her first season with the program after three years at the University of Miami.

"These past few days I've really been grateful for coming here and really admire how I haven't stopped smiling since I've been here," Williams said.

They admit that playing for Jeff Walz and a program where expectations are always high is challenging but it has also produced great rewards.

"We don't see eye-to-eye all the time, but he's a great person and I wouldn't ever want to play for any other coach," Cochran said. "He's so honest. He's just brutally honest. He can make you cry one day but he can also make you laugh. I just love him, man."

"We're competitive, really smart women and he did that," Russell said. "He taught us how to be a force in the world that's not very forgiving and to be ready for the outside world and that's what I really appreciate him for."

All four talked about growth and maturity and being grateful for their time at Louisville.

"I'm a Cardinal for life," said Cochran. "I've been here for five years. LIC5!"

It's a 6 p.m. tip at the KFC Yum! Center Thursday against Clemson as the Cardinals continue to battle for one of the top four seeds and the double bye that goes with it for the ACC Tournament.

The senior night ceremony will take place prior to the game with the first 1500 fans to visit the giveaway table at Section 101 receiving the Senior Poster.