Louisville Lands Top Transfer Targets Bidunga and Shelstad

Cardinals coach Pat Kelsey bolsters frontcourt and backcourt with prized portal additions.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 8:50pm

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A cubist-inspired painting depicting a college basketball game broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in navy, red, and gold, conveying the dynamic energy and strategic complexity of the sport.A bold, fragmented visual interpretation of the transfer portal shakeup that has Louisville poised for a breakthrough season.Tipton Today

Louisville Cardinals head coach Pat Kelsey has landed two of the biggest names in the transfer portal, securing commitments from forward Flory Bidunga (Kansas) and guard Jackson Shelstad (Oregon). Bidunga, the No. 1 ranked transfer, will provide a much-needed boost to Louisville's frontcourt, while Shelstad, ranked No. 17, will help replace departing guard Mikel Brown Jr.

Why it matters

These transfers are a major coup for Kelsey, who has quickly turned around the Louisville program after a dismal 8-24 season in 2023-24. Bidunga's interior presence and shot-blocking ability should address the Cardinals' struggles against elite teams last season, while Shelstad's scoring punch will be crucial to replace the production of Brown. With these two key additions, Louisville is poised to make a deeper NCAA Tournament run in 2026-27.

The details

Bidunga was one of the most dominant big men in college basketball last season, tying for third in the country in blocks per game (2.6) and shooting 64% from the field while averaging 13.3 points per game for Kansas. Shelstad, meanwhile, averaged 13.6 points per game on 43.9% shooting in three seasons at Oregon.

  • Bidunga and Shelstad announced their commitments to Louisville on April 12, 2026.
  • The Cardinals went 24-11 and reached the NCAA Tournament in the 2025-26 season.

The players

Pat Kelsey

The head coach of the Louisville Cardinals, who has led the program to two straight NCAA Tournament appearances after a dismal 8-24 season in 2023-24.

Flory Bidunga

A 6-foot-10, 235-pound forward who was the No. 1 ranked player in the transfer portal after a dominant sophomore season at Kansas, where he was named first-team All-Big 12 and the conference's Defensive Player of the Year.

Jackson Shelstad

A guard who spent three seasons at Oregon, where he averaged 13.6 points per game on 43.9% shooting. He will help replace the production of departing Louisville guard Mikel Brown Jr.

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What they’re saying

“Convincing Bidunga to come to Louisville solves one of its biggest problems during the 2025-26 season: a lack of strong presence in its frontcourt.”

— Brooks Holton, Louisville Courier Journal

What’s next

Louisville will look to continue its momentum in the transfer portal as it aims to make a deeper NCAA Tournament run in 2026-27.

The takeaway

Pat Kelsey has quickly turned around the Louisville program, and the additions of Flory Bidunga and Jackson Shelstad via the transfer portal position the Cardinals to potentially challenge for an ACC title and make a deep March Madness run next season.