London Johnson isn't coming to save Louisville basketball. Who will?

Key Highlights

• The consternation over allowing “professionals” to play college basketball is way overblown. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThey’ve virtually always been in the game. Professional international players who come here tend to be glossed over quickly because the average American, even many die-hard basketball fans, don’t know anything about professional leagues overseas. Baylor’s James Nnaji was taken by the Detroit Pistons in the 2023 NBA Draft but never signed with the Pistons nor the New York Knicks after they obtained his rights.
• That makes him sound better than he really is. Nnaji spent some time playing in Spain’s top professional league, Liga ACB. Guess who else played in that same league?Virginia’s 6-foot-9 Belgian forward Thijs De Ridder, who will be a 23-year-old freshman at the end of the month.
• It’s his first season with the Wahoos because he spent the past few years playing in Spain’s top professional league. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDe Ridder started for the Cavaliers and had nine points and eight rebounds.
• Solid, but hardly the transformative play that would be expected from a pro. He’s not much different than Louisville center Sananda Fru, a 22-year-old freshman from Germany.
• Fru played in the top professional league in Germany before deciding to give college hoops a try. He’s made steady progress this season but plays like a newcomer does — not as someone with a professional background. Fru fouled out after having six points and five rebounds against UVA. There wasn't any protest when De Ridder or Fru signed to play in college.