Louisville’s first exhibition in the Bahamas gave fans two clear reasons to lean in, and one of them came from a name that hasn’t gotten nearly enough attention.
Yes, Flory Bidunga looked every bit like the headline act. The No. 1 overall transfer backed that billing with a dominant showing, finishing with 18 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks in Louisville’s win over the Bahamas squad. For a team that has been searching for a real force in the paint, that kind of presence jumps off the page even in July.
But the quieter breakout may have been De’Shayne Montgomery.
The Dayton transfer started with Karter Knox sidelined and made the most of the opportunity, leading Louisville with 20 points on 5-of-8 shooting. He knocked down 3 of 4 from deep, added four rebounds and four assists, and did it all in just 23 minutes. For a player expected to bring defense first, that kind of scoring punch was a loud early reminder that he can hurt teams in more than one way.
Montgomery’s first impression included the kind of shot that sticks with fans - a stepback 3-pointer that helped showcase the offensive side of his game. Louisville already knew what it was getting on the defensive end. Montgomery was an All-A10 Third Team selection after averaging 13.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 33.5 percent from beyond the arc.
That steal rate is what really makes him such an intriguing fit. His 2.1 steals per game ranked No. 2 in the A-10 and No. 19 in Division I basketball last season, which lines up with the reputation he built before arriving at Louisville.
He also brings a track record from St. Mary’s, where he was the MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2023-24 and averaged 13.2 points, 3.5 steals, 2.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game.
Pat Kelsey had to rebuild quickly this offseason, replacing all five starters and nine players overall. If this exhibition was any indication, Montgomery is the kind of transfer who can end up mattering far more than the national conversation suggests. Louisville fans already seem to know it.
In Other News...
Jeff Brohm Has Louisville Closer Than Ever To Program History
Jeff Brohms latest offseason haul has Louisville looking more complete than it has in years, with more than 32 transfers arriving to reshape a roster that already had real firepower. The additions include a new starting quarterback in Lincoln Kienholz and help at receiver with Tre Richardson and Lawayne McCoy, giving the Cardinals a different kind of depth around a backfield that already featured Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown.
The bigger picture is what makes the conversation around Louisville so intriguing. A favorable 2026 schedule only adds to the sense that this could be the programs best path yet toward a breakthrough, and some analysts are already circling the Cardinals as a serious candidate to reach the College Football Playoff for the first time. The roster looks built for that kind of run, but the real question is whether all of that offseason promise turns into the kind of season that changes the programs place in the ACC. [Read more 🡒]
Pat Kelsey's New Look Cardinals Made A Statement In Nassau
Months of internal practices finally gave way to outside competition for Louisville in Nassau, and the first look at Pat Kelseys revamped group came with plenty to like. The Cardinals rolled past the Bahamas Raw Talent team 101-52 in an exhibition at the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League, with senior DeShayne Montgomery pacing the offense and junior newcomer Flory Bidunga making his presence felt at both ends of the floor.
For Kelsey, the bigger value was simply getting his team into a real game setting after so much time spent facing one another. Louisville treated the trip like a business trip, and the matchup offered an early glimpse of how the new pieces can fit together as the Cardinals start building toward the season ahead. [Read more 🡒]