Pat Kelsey likes where Louisville stands with two of its newest pieces, and the early read on both is encouraging.
Speaking with CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein on Tuesday in an interview previewing the 2026-27 season, Kelsey gave updates on Karter Knox and Obinna Ekezie Jr., both of whom are coming back from offseason surgeries. His message was clear: both players are moving in the right direction.
"I'm fired up about Obi. He and Karter are coming off offseason injuries.
They both had surgeries," Kelsey said. "They've progressed, rehabbed, developed.
They're ahead of schedule and have done an unbelievable job of that."
Knox arrived at Louisville this offseason after spending two years at Arkansas. Last season, he played in 22 games and averaged 8.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
Ekezie, meanwhile, comes in as a five-star freshman from Southeastern Prep in Orlando, Florida. The 7-foot, 220-pound center had shoulder surgery this summer, but Kelsey said he is "really close to being able to be cleared to do everything full, full speed."
Kelsey said Ekezie has already made noticeable progress in the program.
"Obi oozes with potential. Every time he walks into the gym, I feel like he's taller than he was the day before.
He's done a phenomenal job in the weight room. Slowly, he's been able to be involved in more and more of practice," Kelsey said.
Ekezie was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 1 center and the No. 17 overall player. He reclassified from 2027 to 2026, and Kelsey said that process has forced him to adjust quickly to the college level.
"He's a sponge. Even when it was early in the summer, and he wasn't doing much at all, I think he led the country in questions to coaches," Kelsey said.
"He'd want to walk back through the drills afterwards. He's that type of basketball junkie, if you will.
His future is crazy, crazy bright."
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