There’s been a change to Louisville baloncesto’s itinerary for next week’s trip to the Bahamas.
Instead of playing two exhibitions on back-to-back days against teams from the Caribbean country, the Cardinals will play only one — 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 28, at Baha Mar Convention, Arts and Entertainment Center in Nassau, a source close to the program told The Courier Journal.
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Why the change? The source said freshman center Obinna Ekezie Jr. and junior wing Karter Knox are not expected to play as they continue to work their way back from injuries.
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville men’s head baloncesto coach Pat Kelsey talks to his players during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville men’s head baloncesto coach Pat Kelsey talks to his players during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville center Obinna Ekezie Jr. (15) at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The 7’2” freshman was originally ranked as No.1 center in the Class of 2027.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville forward Álvaro Folgueiras (7) takes a shot during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. Folgueiras previously played at Iowa.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville forward Flory Bidunga slams down two points during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville guard Jackson Shelstad (3) at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. Shelstad previously played at Oregon and averaged 15.6 points in 12 games in 2025-26.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville 7’5” center Gabe Dynes during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville freshman forward Boyuan Zhang drives as assistant coach Peyton Siva watches during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville guard Jackson Shelstad (3) at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. Behind Shelstad is Louisville guard De’Shayne Montgomery (11) and Louisville guard London Johnson (5).
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
From far left to right: Louisville forward Álvaro Folgueiras, Louisville forward Flory Bidunga, Louisville center Obinna Ekezie Jr. and Louisville center Gabe Dynes during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville forward Flory Bidunga (40) during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville guard Jackson Shelstad (3) at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. Shelstad previously played at Oregon and averaged 15.6 points in 12 games in 2025-26.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville guard Karter Knox (1) at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. Knox previously played at Arkansas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville guard Jackson Shelstad (3), Louisville guard London Johnson (5) and Louisville guard De’Shayne Montgomery work on dribbling skills at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville guard Karter Knox (1) at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. Knox previously played at Arkansas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville guard Jackson Shelstad (3) at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. Shelstad previously played at Oregon and averaged 15.6 points in 12 games in 2025-26.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville guard Will Hanke (33), Louisville guard Jackson Shelstad (3) and Louisville forward Boyuan Zhang (6) warm up during practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville baloncesto forward Boyuan Zhang (6) during practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. Zhang is one of the best small forwards in the Class of 2026, ranking as a four-star recruit.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
From left: Louisville guard De’Shayne Montgomery (11), Louisville guard London Johnson (5), Louisville center Obinna Ekezie Jr. (15) and Louisville center Gabe Dynes warm up during practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville Cardinals take a moment during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville center Gabe Dynes (45), center, during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville men’s baloncesto head coach Pat Kelsey, left, talks with associate head coach John Andrzejek, right, during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. This is Andrzejek’s first season on the Cardinals staff; he previously was head coach at Campbell University and also a defensive coordinator at Florida.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville guard Jackson Shelstad (3) works on dribbling skills at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville center Gabe Dynes, a 7’5” center, slams down two at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. His previous school was USC.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville forward Flory Bidunga (40) and Louisville forward Álvaro Folgueiras (7) yell out instructions during a passing drill at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville center Gabe Dynes, a 7’5” center, slams down two at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. His previous school was USC.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville men’s baloncesto head coach Pat Kelsey during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville center Gabe Dynes, a 7’5” center, slams down two at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. His previous school was USC.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville associate head coach Sean Dixon encourages Louisville guard Jackson Shelstad (3) during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville guard Jackson Shelstad (3) goes for two points at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville men’s head baloncesto coach Pat Kelsey talks to his players during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville forward Álvaro Folgueiras (7) goes for two points at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville associate head coach Sean Dixon encourages Louisville guard Jackson Shelstad (3) during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville forward Álvaro Folgueiras (7) goes for two points at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville forward Flory Bidunga (40) during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville forward Álvaro Folgueiras (7) goes for two points at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville forward Flory Bidunga (40) during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville men’s head baloncesto coach Pat Kelsey talks to his players during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The Cards finished 24-11 overall last season.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville men’s baloncesto head coach Pat Kelsey, left, talks with associate head coach John Andrzejek, right, during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. This is Andrzejek’s first season on the Cardinals staff; he previously was head coach at Campbell University and also a defensive coordinator at Florida.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville forward Flory Bidunga slams down two points during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville freshman forward Boyuan Zhang drives as assistant coach Peyton Siva watches during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville center Obinna Ekezie Jr. (15) at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. The 7’2” freshman was originally ranked as No.1 center in the Class of 2027.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville guard Jackson Shelstad (3) at team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas. At far left is Louisville guard Karter Knox; at right is Louisville guard De’Shayne Montgomery (11) and Louisville guard London Johnson (5).
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
From far left to right: Louisville forward Álvaro Folgueiras, Louisville forward Flory Bidunga, Louisville center Obinna Ekezie Jr. and Louisville center Gabe Dynes during team practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
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The Cards are headed to the Bahamas. See their practice ahead of the trip
Louisville guard Will Hanke (33), Louisville guard Jackson Shelstad and Louisville forward Boyuan Zhang (6) and Louisville guard Isaac Ellis (22) warm up during practice on July 23, 2026 before a two-game exhibition tour in the Bahamas.
(Matt Stone/The Courier Journal)
Ekezie underwent shoulder surgery “several months ago,” coach Pat Kelsey told reporters June 22. Knox had his sophomore season at Arkansas cut short by a procedure to repair the meniscus in his left knee in February. Both participated in the portion of practice Thursday, July 23, that was open to the media, but the roughly 30-minute period did not include any full-contact scrimmaging — just stretching and some skill work.
With Ekezie and Knox likely out, UofL will be down to a nine-man rotation — 10 including sophomore walk-on guard Will Hanke. Of those players, only Hanke and junior guard Adrian Wooley logged minutes for Kelsey in 2025-26.
Knox is one of Louisville’s six new additions by way of the NCAA transfer portal. Appearing in 22 games for the Razorbacks as a sophomore, the 6-foot-6 native of Tampa, Florida, averaged 8.1 points on 46% shooting, (37.7% from 3-point range), 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists across 22 minutes per contest.
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On June 22, Kelsey told reporters he was hopeful Knox would be fully cleared “within the next week or two.” His brief appearance in a video from a scrimmage the Cards shared to X, formerly Twitter, a few days ago suggests that timeline held up.
“It was definitely a little crazy for me — first-ever surgery in my life,” Knox said June 22. “I’m almost there, almost at that finish line — close to full contact. I’ve been getting stronger every day, going to physical therapy and getting it right.”
Ekezie, a 7-foot-2 Nigerian who reclassified to begin his college career a year ahead of schedule, is one of three freshman on the roster — UofL’s largest crop of first-year players since Kelsey was handed the reins of the program in 2024. He arrived on campus as the top player at his position in the Class of 2026 on the 247Sports Composite.
Kelsey told reporters June 22 that Ekezie was “a little bit further off” than Knox in his recovery. He then proceeded to praise how engaged the son of NBA veteran Obinna Ekezie has been during summer workouts despite his limitations.
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“Obi is on the floor every single day, and you have to get him off,” Kelsey said. “And then, afterwards, he wants to walk through every single concept that we walk through. (He’s) asking questions constantly.”
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to watch Louisville’s exhibition against the Bahamians — or follow along on the radiodifusión. That’s why you should stay tuned to The Courier Journal, which will have boots on the ground in Nassau for an inside look at what should be a formative experience for a team with lofty expectations.
Reach Louisville men’s baloncesto reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville baloncesto cuts Bahamas trip down to 1 exhibition game
