Louisville’s latest recruiting move reached all the way to Romania, and the payoff was immediate.
The Cardinals offered 2028 composite five-star Benji Berrouet after assistant coach Ronnie Hamilton watched him play for Latvia in FIBA U16 competition on Sunday. Berrouet responded with a monster outing, finishing with 33 points and 22 rebounds in a win.
Berrouet said Louisville’s interest did not catch him off guard.
"I wasn't really surprised because I knew it was bound to happen," Berrouet told CardinalAuthority. "They're out here in Romania, watching me play at the European Championship.
Obviously, it meant a lot to me. I was pretty happy.
It's a good program."
The 6-foot-7, 240-pound power forward from Dynamic Prep in Dallas has been on Louisville’s board since the NBPA Top 100 camp earlier this summer, and the staff has kept close tabs on him ever since. Hamilton made that clear when he spoke with Berrouet after the game.
"[Ronnie] told me how he loves my play style and loves my game," Berrouet said. "He said I've had a really good summer so far and he's been pleased with my game, since the EYBL, NBPA Camp, and now here.
He said I have good potential. He said he'd take me no matter what, if I want to reclass or not."
For now, though, reclassification is not something Berrouet is focused on.
"As of now, not really. No," Berrouet said.
Louisville is still in the mix, and Berrouet said he wants to get out to campus at some point. He also likes what he’s seen from the program’s approach to development.
"They've gotten a lot of recruits," Berrouet said. "They're definitely looking good this year. I like how they develop guys to get to the next step and the next chapter."
The Cardinals are not alone in this one. Berrouet said the "main schools tapped in right now" are Baylor, Texas, UCLA, Miami, Kentucky, Arkansas, Houston, USC, and Texas. He said visits are expected to come together soon, though nothing is locked in yet.
"Nothing officially scheduled, but definitely a lot soon," Berrouet said. "We're going to schedule everything."
What Berrouet wants most is simple: a real chance to play.
"Wherever I'm going to play as a freshman, get minutes to showcase my game as a lottery pick," he said.
Berrouet is already viewed as one of the elite players in the 2028 class. 247Sports has him at No. 2 among power forwards and No. 21 overall, while the 247Sports Composite lists him as the No. 2 power forward and No. 13 player nationally.
This summer with Latvia has only added to his profile, and Berrouet believes he’s shown exactly what he can bring.
"[This summer with Latvia], I've shown my ball handling skills and my paint presence, for sure," Berrouet said. "With my ball handling skills, I've been able to take the ball up the floor and make plays for my teammates.
I'm a big guy who can play it all. I'm versatile and athletic.
I rebound, always give my full effort on the court, and will always give my all every game."
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One of the more intriguing names on the board is Benjamin Berrouet, a nationally ranked five-star power forward in the class of 2028 who has already drawn attention from several major programs. Louisville assistant Ronnie Hamilton recently got a closer look at Berrouet during a FIBA U16 event, another indication that the Cardinals are trying to stay ahead of the curve with younger elite prospects before the race for his commitment really heats up. [Read more 🡒]
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