Before the announcement of Pat Kelsey’s appointment as the new head coach for the University of Louisville Cardinals’ men’s basketball team, his name wasn’t exactly reverberating through every household in the city. However, all that swiftly changed as news of his arrival spread like wildfire throughout Louisville on a brisk Wednesday afternoon. By the end of an electrifying and spirited introductory news conference held the following day at the illustrious Kueber Center, located within the prestigious confines of the University of Louisville, the entire city seemed to buzz with excitement.
Photo Cred: The Courier Journal
In a spectacle that lasted well over 50 minutes, Kelsey, a man exuding boundless enthusiasm and passion, took center stage amidst a captivated audience of Cardinals fans, generous boosters, and devoted alumni. “I consider it the ultimate job,” he declared with fervor. “It’s the peak and pinnacle of my profession.”
With a coaching tenure spanning an impressive 12 seasons within the competitive realm of NCAA Division I basketball, Kelsey has left an indelible mark, having steered his teams to four appearances in the illustrious NCAA Tournament. His most recent success came this past season with the Charleston team. A Cincinnati native, Kelsey first honed his skills playing high school basketball at both Roger Bacon and Elder High Schools. His collegiate career then flourished at Xavier University under the tutelage of the late Skip Prosser, whom he later served as an esteemed assistant coach at Wake Forest University.
Among the talented players who have thrived under Kelsey’s guidance is Reyne Smith, a sharpshooting guard whose basketball prowess has been on full display during his tenure at Charleston. He now brings his talents to UofL. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 2 inches and weighing in at 190 pounds, Smith emerged as a standout player for the Cougars in the recent season. Logging minutes in all 35 of Charleston’s games, with an impressive 28 starts to his name, he led the team in scoring with an average of 12.8 points per game, while also contributing 2.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists per contest.
Photo Cred: SI
Smith’s stellar performance earned him a well-deserved spot on the All-CAA Second Team, a testament to his undeniable talent and hard work. A master from beyond the arc, Smith’s expertise in three-point shooting is nothing short of remarkable, boasting an impressive 39.4 percent success rate from downtown and an overall field goal percentage of 41.0. Of his 133 successful field goals last season, an astounding 112 came from three-pointers out of a total of 324 attempts.
Hailing from the distant shores of Ulverstone, Australia, Smith has undeniably left an indelible mark on the collegiate basketball scene. Over his remarkable three-year stint with Charleston, he has amassed an impressive array of statistics, tallying 1,212 points, 294 made three-pointers, 192 rebounds, 149 assists, and 68 steals across 102 games, with an impressive 89 starts to his name. As he embarks on this new chapter under the guidance of Coach Kelsey at Louisville, the stage is set for Smith to continue his impressive basketball journey and leave an indelible mark on the Cardinals’ storied legacy.
