Louisville Makes Top Six for East Carolina Transfer Brandon Johnson

The former forward for the Pirates has been a productive scorer and rebounder in his collegiate career.

Jan 24, 2024; Wichita, Kansas, USA; East Carolina Pirates forward Brandon Johnson (6) puts up a shot / William Purnell-USA TODAY Sports

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Louisville men's basketball program is in the mix for yet another noteworthy portal prospect.

Former East Carolina forward Brandon Johnson announced his top six transfer destinations on Tuesday, with the Cardinals making the cut. Miami, Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, NC State, and Pitt are also in the running to land his commitment.

While East Carolina might have gone 15-18 during the 2023-24 season, it certainly wasn't due to Johnson's efforts. Playing in 31 of the Pirates' 33 games while starting all of his appearances, the 6-foot-8, 210-pound power forward averaged 14.0 points, a team-best 8.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

For a big man, Johnson is an efficient three-point shooter, connecting on 36.5 percent of his attempts from long range. He's also a defensive rebounding specialist, with his 6.13 defensive boards per game ranking 57th in D1. Put both together, and Johnson produced 11 double-doubles - good for 44th in D1.

The Raleigh, N.C. native started his collegiate career at Brunswick Community College, playing his true freshman campaign there before playing three seasons for ECU. In 93 games and 68 starts for the Pirates, Johnson has totaled 969 points, 681 rebounds, 131 assists, 94 steals and 54 blocks.

Not long after the end of Louisville's disastrous 2023-24 campaign, one which resulted in the firing of second-year head coach Kenny Payne, the Cardinals' roster began to flip. 11 Louisville players have entered the portal, leaving them in line with no scholarship returners.

Fortunately, new head coach Pat Kelsey is already starting to work the portal. So far, Kelsey has landed two transfers since officially being named the new head coach on Mar. 28: guard Reyne Smith and center James Scott, both of whom are following Kelsey from Charleston.

Additionally, UofL is set to host James Madison's Terrance Edwards Jr., and recently made the top eight for Toledo's Dante Maddox Jr.

(Photo of Brandon Johnson: William Purnell - USA TODAY Sports)

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