In a basketball landscape increasingly dominated by transfer portal movements, Xavier standout Ryan Conwell has found a new home with the Louisville Cardinals.
The talented guard who averaged 16.5 points while shooting an impressive 41.2% from 3-point range last season committed to Louisville on April 2, 2025, just days after Sean Miller departed Xavier for Texas.
Kelsey’s System and Style of Play Sealed the Deal
Conwell’s decision adds firepower to Pat Kelsey’s squad as the Cardinals aim to make noise in the ACC next season.
The Third Team All-Big East selection cited Louisville’s family atmosphere and Kelsey’s offensive system as key factors in his commitment, joining fellow transfer Adrian Wooley from Kennesaw State in what’s shaping up to be an impactful recruiting class.
When discussing his decision-making process, Conwell highlighted Coach Kelsey’s five-out offense as particularly appealing. “It definitely was just the style of play that Coach Kelsey runs, and the five-out offense fast pace shoots a lot of threes and layups,” Conwell said, noting how the system aligns with his skillset.
The offensive scheme that allowed former Cardinal Rain Smith to attempt up to 18 3-pointers in games last season proved to be a perfect selling point for the sharpshooting lefty.
With career highlights, including a 34-point explosion against Villanova (with six three-pointers) and ranking third in the Big East in 3-point percentage (41.3%), Conwell’s versatility should translate well.
As he explained “I think just me my ability to play different positions and being able to be on and off the ball would just be able to help Louisville.”
Academic Excellence Remains a Priority
Despite the evolving NIL landscape that has shifted many players’ focus toward financial opportunities, Conwell has maintained his commitment to academic achievement.
Set to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in just three years despite attending multiple schools such as Indiana State, Xavier and now Louisville, he credits his parents for instilling these values.
“I definitely want to give a strong shout out to my mom and my dad. That’s just something they’ve instilled in me and my brother ever since we were young” Conwell said. “Even though I’ve been to three different schools going on my fourth school I’m able to graduate and I’m able to get my bachelors within 3 years and I think it’s all just a blessing.”
His academic discipline traces back to high school, where his mother pushed him to take dual credit classes.
“My mom was so hard on me and taking dual credit classes and I really didn’t understand why” Conwell reflected. “I just listen to her even though I didn’t really understand why and took those classes and come here now I’m able to graduate within 3 years.”
Looking beyond basketball, Conwell already has sports marketing or real estate career aspirations. “I do love sports, all different types of sports. So I do want to do something in terms of like sports marketing in that aspect, or I am thinking about going to Louisville and doing something within real estate,” he shared.
While focused on his long term development as a player, Conwell is working diligently this offseason to expand his game before arriving at Louisville. After averaging 2.5 assists alongside his 16.5 points per game at Xavier he’s looking to enhance his playmaking abilities.
KEEP READING: 2025 Men’s College Basketball Transfer Portal Tracker
“I’m definitely working on all aspects of my game but mainly just being able to just to be a better point guard in a sense” he explained highlighting his desire to excel whether controlling the offense or playing without the ball.
With Louisville’s fan base energized by Kelsey’s high-tempo style and aggressive recruiting, Conwell’s addition represents exactly the kind of transfer talent that could help propel the Cardinals back into national prominence.
Conwell’s 61.8% true shooting percentage, which ranked third in the Big East, will be a strong addition to the Cardinals’ offense.
As he put it simply about his Louisville decision, “All the pieces kind of connected and that’s what ultimately led me to make my decision to go to Louisville.”
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