Trentyn Flowers suddenly decommits from Louisville, will play in Australia’s NBL
Trentyn Flowers enrolled at Louisville months ago and had been practicing with the team this summer
Trentyn Flowers won’t play for Louisville after all.
Flowers, a Rivals.com four-star recruit, decommitted from Louisville on Monday. Instead, he plans to sign with the Adelaide 36ers and play in Australia’s National Basketball League.
Lets GO! pic.twitter.com/6FusMcf9EJ
— Trentyn Flowers (@FlowersTrentyn) August 14, 2023
"This was the toughest decision I've ever made," Flowers told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. "Louisville was my dream college. But I feel like signing in the NBL gives me the best chance to lock in and develop my game. I'm going over there to play point guard, to learn how to run a team, and be a player like LaMelo Ball or Josh Giddey. Adelaide is a place for me to lock in and focus on my game."
Flowers, a 6-foot-9 forward out of Lincolnton, North Carolina, is the No. 26 player in the class of 2023, per Rivals. He drew interest from Creighton, Arkansas, Memphis, North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and USC, among others.
Flowers was initially a member of the 2024 high school class, but he reclassified and graduated early. He enrolled at Louisville this summer and has been practicing with the team since June.
Flowers said Adelaide reached out and wanted him to be their starting point guard next season. The offer to “come in and run the team,” he said, was simply too good to pass up.
“The timing wasn't the best, but it was the best step for me and my game,” Flowers said, via ESPN. “I can only move on and make the best of what I decided. Anyone that says I made the wrong decision, I feel otherwise."
Louisville went just 4-28 last season, which marked the Cardinals’ worst season since at least World War II. They failed to reach the NCAA tournament for a fourth straight season and went just 2-18 in ACC play. Kenny Payne is set to enter his second season as head coach of the program this fall.
It’s unclear what Payne will do to try to replace Flowers, as classes at Louisville start next week.
"Earlier today, Trentyn and his family informed me of his decision to pursue a professional career overseas," Payne said in a statement, via ESPN. "We're certainly disappointed in his decision and the timing. We fully believe in the University of Louisville's ability to help student-athletes reach their goals, including to play at the highest levels of professional basketball — and we're confident that Trentyn could have achieved his dreams by making Louisville his home. However, we wish Trentyn and his family well in all of their future endeavors."
