Kansas Transfer Padgett Will Join Cardinals
June 15, 2004 | Men's Basketball
June 15, 2004
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - David Padgett, a 6-11 forward/center from Reno, Nev. who played his freshman year at the University of Kansas last season, will transfer to the University of Louisville.
Padgett started 19 games for the Jayhawks last season, averaging 6.5 points and 4.5 rebounds. He shot 53.1 percent from the field and blocked a team-high 43 shots, the second-most ever for a Kansas freshman. He grabbed five or more rebounds in 15 games with the Jayhawks and scored a season-high 19 points against Fort Hays State.
"David is someone we can build our offenses and defenses around for next year when we enter the Big East," said U of L Men's Basketball Coach Rick Pitino. "He can do it all as a big man. He runs the floor, he can spot up, he can post up, he blocks shots and he rebounds. He also has a passion to eat, sleep and drink this game of basketball.
"We recruited David out of high school and unfortunately did not get a commitment. The second time around has been a really good situation for U of L and ultimately, I believe, will be for David. I love transfers when you're transferring for reasons other than not playing. For people like Derek Anderson and Mark Pope (transfers who played for Pitino at Kentucky and went on to play in the NBA), it's a super situation because they sit out, practice with the team, learn the system and they're not freshmen so they don't come in inexperienced."
Padgett signed financial aid documents with U of L on Tuesday. He will sit out the 2004-05 season before playing as sophomore in 2005-06 with the Cardinals.
A McDonald's High School and Parade Magazine All-American as a high school senior, Padgett averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds at Reno (Nev.) High School where he was coached by his father Pete. As a high school senior, he was the nation's top-rated prospect at center and No. 4 player overall by Insiders Hoops, the No. 7 overall choice by Rivals Hoops and was a top 15 prospect by ESPN.com and the Hoop Scoop. He was the 2003 Nevada Player of the Year and was a three-time conference player of the year.
Padgett averaged 22.4 points and 14.3 rebounds as a junior. As a sophomore in 2000-01, he averaged 13 points, 14 rebounds and six blocked shots, helping Reno to a 24-7 record. He averaged 12 points and 13.0 rebounds his junior year.
Playing college basketball runs in Padgett's family. His father Pete played basketball at the University of Nevada (1973-76), his uncle Chris played basketball at New Mexico and his grandfather Jim played basketball at Oregon State. His sister Melissa was a senior last year at the University of San Diego, where she was a standout forward for four years.
He was a member of the 2002 USA Basketball Junior World Championship Qualifying Team that finished with a 4-1 record and the bronze medal. He also participated in the 2002 USA Basketball Men's Youth Development Festival, finishing as the Festival's leader in blocked shots and field goal percentage.
Padgett announced his intention to transfer from Kansas on April 15 and had also considered UCLA and North Carolina before selecting the Cardinals.
