Cardinal Legend Peyton Siva Promoted to Assistant Coach
August 19, 2025 | Men's Basketball
Siva enters his second year on the Louisville men’s basketball staff in 2025-26
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Louisville men's basketball head coach Pat Kelsey announced Tuesday the promotion of Cardinal legend Peyton Siva to assistant coach.
Siva will take on an expanded role with recruiting and player development as an on-court assistant coach for the Cardinals, while maintaining his responsibilities with basketball alumni relations and community engagement as a crucial figure of the program and in the community.
In his first season on staff in 2024-25, Siva played a pivotal role in the Cardinals' remarkable turnaround as the Director of Player Development and Basketball Alumni Relations. Louisville achieved a 27-8 record and finishing second in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with an 18-2 league record, marking the Cards' first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019 and their highest win total since 2015.
Most notably, Siva was instrumental in the development of point guard All-ACC First Teamer Chucky Hepburn, whose standout performance during the 2024-25 season became a defining moment for the program. Siva's work with Hepburn focused on both tangible and intangible skills that led to the guard and program's growth throughout the year.
"Peyton's influence on Chucky Hepburn was transformative," said Kelsey. "As a former championship-level point guard, Peyton brought unparalleled expertise and mentorship to our players. His ability to connect with Chucky helped elevate his game, fostering the leadership and poise that defined our season. Peyton's knowledge, infectious energy and love for Louisville makes him an invaluable asset to our program."
"Peyton is a living legend at Louisville," Kelsey continued. "His promotion to assistant coach reflects his proven impact, from player development to bridging our storied past with our bright future. His relationships with our alumni, donors and community will be critical as we continue to elevate this program."
As an assistant coach, Siva's responsibilities will expand to include recruiting top talent to Louisville, leveraging his reputation as a program legend and his deep ties to the basketball community. His role in player development will continue to focus on nurturing the skills and leadership of the Cardinals' roster, particularly at the guard position.
Additionally, Siva will continue to strengthen relationships with basketball alumni, fostering a familial, unified culture with the past and present of Louisville Basketball. He will continue to nurture the program's community relations engaging with the Louisville fanbase and local organizations, further solidifying the program's connection to the city.
"I'm honored to take on this new role with the University of Louisville," Siva said. "This program and this city mean everything to me. I'm excited to continue mentoring our players, recruiting the next generation of Cardinals and building on the incredible momentum from last season. Working with Chucky and seeing his growth was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, and I look forward to helping our team achieve even greater success. Go Cards!"
A linchpin of Louisville's 2013 NCAA National Championship team, Siva brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the Cardinal community. During his playing career from 2009-13, Siva amassed 1,215 points, ranking second in program history for career assists (677) and steals (254). A two-time Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player and the 2012-13 Big East Scholar Athlete of the Year, Siva's leadership as a team captain helped guide the Cardinals to back-to-back Final Fours and the 2013 national title.
Siva's professional career spanned a decade after he was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft, including a stint with the NBA's Detroit Pistons and successful tenures in Italy, Germany, New Zealand, Greece and Australia.
Siva will take on an expanded role with recruiting and player development as an on-court assistant coach for the Cardinals, while maintaining his responsibilities with basketball alumni relations and community engagement as a crucial figure of the program and in the community.
In his first season on staff in 2024-25, Siva played a pivotal role in the Cardinals' remarkable turnaround as the Director of Player Development and Basketball Alumni Relations. Louisville achieved a 27-8 record and finishing second in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) with an 18-2 league record, marking the Cards' first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019 and their highest win total since 2015.
Most notably, Siva was instrumental in the development of point guard All-ACC First Teamer Chucky Hepburn, whose standout performance during the 2024-25 season became a defining moment for the program. Siva's work with Hepburn focused on both tangible and intangible skills that led to the guard and program's growth throughout the year.
"Peyton's influence on Chucky Hepburn was transformative," said Kelsey. "As a former championship-level point guard, Peyton brought unparalleled expertise and mentorship to our players. His ability to connect with Chucky helped elevate his game, fostering the leadership and poise that defined our season. Peyton's knowledge, infectious energy and love for Louisville makes him an invaluable asset to our program."
"Peyton is a living legend at Louisville," Kelsey continued. "His promotion to assistant coach reflects his proven impact, from player development to bridging our storied past with our bright future. His relationships with our alumni, donors and community will be critical as we continue to elevate this program."
As an assistant coach, Siva's responsibilities will expand to include recruiting top talent to Louisville, leveraging his reputation as a program legend and his deep ties to the basketball community. His role in player development will continue to focus on nurturing the skills and leadership of the Cardinals' roster, particularly at the guard position.
Additionally, Siva will continue to strengthen relationships with basketball alumni, fostering a familial, unified culture with the past and present of Louisville Basketball. He will continue to nurture the program's community relations engaging with the Louisville fanbase and local organizations, further solidifying the program's connection to the city.
"I'm honored to take on this new role with the University of Louisville," Siva said. "This program and this city mean everything to me. I'm excited to continue mentoring our players, recruiting the next generation of Cardinals and building on the incredible momentum from last season. Working with Chucky and seeing his growth was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, and I look forward to helping our team achieve even greater success. Go Cards!"
A linchpin of Louisville's 2013 NCAA National Championship team, Siva brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the Cardinal community. During his playing career from 2009-13, Siva amassed 1,215 points, ranking second in program history for career assists (677) and steals (254). A two-time Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player and the 2012-13 Big East Scholar Athlete of the Year, Siva's leadership as a team captain helped guide the Cardinals to back-to-back Final Fours and the 2013 national title.
Siva's professional career spanned a decade after he was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NBA Draft, including a stint with the NBA's Detroit Pistons and successful tenures in Italy, Germany, New Zealand, Greece and Australia.
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