Breaking News: Cincinnati Bearcats beats Louisville Cardinals as 4-star No. 1 transfer portal target commits

Louisville basketball just received crushing news that the NCAA denied the eligibility of one of their key centers for the 2025-26 season. Aly Khalifa was expected to be a crucial piece on this Cardinals roster, either starting for Pat Kelsey or coming off the bench and providing valuable minutes behind Sananda Fru.

However, now that he might be ineligibile Louisville must target the transfer portal for a new center. Well, things just got even worse for Louisville. The Cardinals had a few dream targets remaining, and one just got taken off the board.

Baba Miller, a 4-star FAU transfer, was the Cardinals’ No. 1 target remaining, especially after James Scott transferred, but Jonathan Givony just reported that Miller committed to the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Louisville basketball loses No. 1 transfer portal target to Cincinnati

The Cardinals nation has been preaching for Miller to commit to the Cardinals all offseason, as he was the glaring No. 1 target for Louisville basketball fans. The FAU transfer was a top 15 transfer still on the table, but now the Spanish power forward will be competing in the Big 12 under head coach Wes Miller.

Miller was one of the best recruits back in 2022. The 6-foot-11 center was ranked as high as the 12th-best center in the respective class and the 49th player overall. In his three collegiate seasons, he has averaged 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game.

His best season was his lone season with FAU, when he started every game and averaged 11.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. He also improved his shooting last season, shooting 48.6 percent from the floor and 34.2 percent from the 3-point line.

Depending on Khalifa’s situation, Louisville might be in desperate need right now. If the ruling stands and the Cardinals’ center is ineligible, Kelsey loses a big-time player, but also loses out on dream targets for their thin center room, like Miller. It was reported that the Cardinals were one of 17 teams in contact with Miller, but nothing else was ever reported past that

Miller was ranked as the 22nd best center in the portal and No.149 out of all the players who entered the portal. The 215-pound center has a massive 7-foot-10 wingspan and elite skills all over the court that would have fit perfectly