Sam Bearden

The Cardinals celebrate after winning the Bahamas Championship.

Photo by: Tanner Probus

Position:
Forward
Height:
6-5
Class:
Sophomore
Hometown:
Louisville, Ky.
High School:
Holy Cross High School

Sophomore Year in 2021-22:

Walk-on forward who appeared in one career game, scoring three points at Wake Forest in 2021-22.

Freshman Year:

Did not appear in a game in 2020-21.

High School:

First team Courier-Journal All-Region selection as a senior when he averaged 18.1 points and 8.2 rebounds for Holy Cross. He was selected to the all-tournament teams for the 21st District and 6th Region.
Also honored as a 2020 Louisville Catholic Sports Student Athlete of the Year and was an all-tournament choice at 2019 King of the Smokies after producing 21 points and 13 rebounds in the final game there.
Finished his high school career as Holy Cross’ second-leading all-time scorer with over 1,000 points.
Also ran track (sprints) and played soccer (defense) at Holy Cross. As a junior, he was seventh in the Kentucky Class A state championship in the 200 and was a member of three relay teams as Holy Cross won the state team championship in 2019.
Earned an academic scholarship to UofL.
Averaged 13.4 points and 7.4 rebounds as a junior while connecting on 48 percent of his field goals, including 36 percent from three-point range. As a sophomore, he averaged 10.2 points for Holy Cross in 2017-18.
Played AAU basketball with the Louisville Prospects, where he produced a stellar game of 27 points and 20 rebounds at the Peach State tournament in 2019.
Had received interest from multiple NCAA Division II and NAIA programs before deciding to walk on with the Cardinals (Alabama-Huntsville, Kentucky Wesleyan, Centre College, Transylvania, Holy Cross (IN), Lyon College, Thomas More, Indiana University-Southeast).
His mother Missy played field hockey at UofL, his grandfather Bob Bearden played football for the Cardinals and his uncle Ed Voelker played basketball at Tennessee.

Personal:

Born Jan. 25, 2002 ... Son of Missy and Matt Bearden ... Has two older brothers, Nathan and Max ... Major is undecided while planning on business.
Best moment of his athletic career to date was contributing as a member of the Holy Cross track team to win the Class A Kentucky state high school track championship in 2019.
Personal goal at UofL is “to grow as a person.”
Enjoys playing video games and watching TV and movies in his spare time.
Chose to attend UofL because “it was a dream come true to wear a UofL jersey.”
His dad Matt has had the greatest influence on his athletic career.
When playing basketball as a kid, he pretended he was Carmelo Anthony.
If you walked into his dorm room, the first thing you would notice is his computer.
Best thing about being a Cardinal is “representing the team I grew up loving.”
Few people know that he has a lot of sports cards with his brother.
Most proud of his family.
What impresses him the most about Coach Mack is his enthusiasm.
Best athlete he ever faced is David Johnson.
Would most like to meet Stephen Curry.

Favorites:
Basketball Player: Tim Duncan
NBA Team: Utah Jazz
Athlete, other than a basketball player: Messi
TV Shows: Game of Thrones
Movies: Shawshank Redemption, Anchorman
Actor: Morgan Freeman
Comedian: Dave Chappelle
Musical Group/Singer: The Beatles
TV Sports Personality: Charles Barkley
Book: 1984
Website: YouTube.com
Food: pizza
Midnight Snack: ice cream
Vacation spot: New York City