Louisville lands NBA G-League guard London Johnson for 2026 season

The Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team has secured a commitment from London Johnson, a 6-foot-3 guard who spent the past three seasons playing professionally in the NBA G League. Johnson, a former top-50 recruit in the Class of 2022 who initially bypassed college to join the G League Ignite, will enroll at Louisville in December, sit out the 2025-26 season, and be eligible to play starting in the 2026-27 season with two years of eligibility remaining. This commitment marks one of the first instances of a G League player gaining NCAA eligibility following a recent NCAA ruling that allowed players like Thierry Darlan to transition from professional play to college basketball. Johnson's path highlights Louisville's strategic move to recruit talent from non-traditional sources, further exemplified by their offer to Abdullah Ahmed, another former G League player. Under head coach Pat Kelsey, who led the team to a 27-8 record last season and earned ACC Coach of the Year honors, Louisville is aiming to maintain its upward trajectory by integrating players with professional experience. Johnson's addition is expected to bolster the team's depth, potentially filling a role as a defensive-minded and experienced backup point guard.