To Pat Kelsey, Adrian Wooley is a ‘dog’: Soph guard giving Cards an extra bite

By RUSS BROWN • Photos Provided By Louisville Athletics

Adrian Wooley arrived on the University of Louisville campus last spring fresh off an award-winning rookie season at Kennesaw State with one major goal in mind: Proving to a jury of his peers and college basketball coaches that he could not only play, but thrive, on the high major level.

Consider the case closed. The verdict: guilty. After less than one season with UofL, the 6-foot-4 guard from Tuscaloosa, Alabama has established himself as a valuable contributor for the Cardinals’ nationally-ranked team that is closing in on another 20-win campaign.

Before becoming UofL coach Pat Kelsey’s first recruit out of the transfer portal, Wooley compiled one of the best 2024-25 seasons by a Division I freshman and earned the Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors. Kelsey was able to land Wooley as the ninth-targeted prospect out of the portal. Among other suitors he turned down offers from Alabama, Auburn and Kansas, a trio of highly-successful programs that have recorded more Final Four appearances since 2018 than Louisville has NCAA Tournament wins.

At Kennesaw State in Georgia, he was Mr. Everything for the Owls. He led the team in scoring with 18.8 points per game while shooting 51.2%, including 42.2% from 3-point land, while also delivering 5.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and a total of 47 steals.

“He is a two-way player who can guard multiple positions,” Kelsey said in a statement when Wooley signed with the Cards in April. “He is a dynamic scorer and playmaker with a high basketball IQ. As we did our background on him it was apparent that his approach, character and professionalism matches his talent. He has endeared himself to Card Nation already by being the first player to say ‘Yes’ in the portal; and that love will only grow when he puts the jersey on.”

Wooley was especially valuable during the extended absence of star point guard Mikel Brown Jr., who missed eight games with lower back issues following the Memphis game on Dec. 13. He finally returned on Jan. 24 in an 85-71 win over Virginia Tech, getting team highs of 20 points and six assists.

Against the Tigers Wooley flashed his potential with 15 points on five 3-pointers in eight attempts, along with three assists and just two turnovers in 25 minutes off the bench, in addition to three rebounds.

“Adrian was phenomenal,” Kelsey said after that performance. “He gave us a big boost, made a bunch of shots.”

With the Cards leading by only eight points late in the first half, Wooley nailed two 3-pointers and assisted on another to ignite an explosion of seven straight treys that increased the margin to 20 points.

“It was fun to be on the court at that time,” Wooley said. “We were moving the ball around, shared it very well.”

Through the first 10 games, he was UofL’s first sub at guard, but when Brown was injured Wooley’s role abruptly changed. He became not only one of the primary ball handlers, along with Ryan Conwell, but was also relied on for both scoring and rebounding.

His scoring average has increased from 8.4 points per game in 10 appearances as a reserve to 11.6 as a starter in eight outings. And his playing time in Brown’s absence has risen considerably to include stints of 36 minutes (Boston College); 34 (Tennessee); 32 (Duke); and 29 (Virginia), the latter three all Top 25 clubs. Overall, Wooley is averaging 9.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and shooting 44.3%, with 32 assists and 16 steals.

Kelsey has referred to Wooley as a “dog,” but in Kelsey’s world that’s the ultimate compliment, not a criticism.

“Man, I love AW,” Kelsey told CardinalAuthority.com prior to the season. “The first word I use about him. . .I say this all the time, that he’s a dog. He’s got a grit, toughness and competitiveness about him that I love. He’s also a very gifted scorer who can score at all three levels. He can finish at the rim, get to the line and hit his free throws and he can shoot from distance.”

As the season progressed, Kelsey expanded his praise.

“He’s a good playmaker,” the coach said. “A very good all-around player with an unbelievable temperament. He’s been a leader for us. He’s not that vocal guy -- he’s probably one of the least vocal guys on the team -- but just the way he goes about the process. And that same mentality is his grit on defense. He’s just a tough guy.”

Wooley attributes his growth so far this season and his overall success to that focus on the defensive end of the court.

“I feel I’ve been getting more comfortable in my role, playing defense,” he said. “I thrive on defense so I try to give my teammates that each and every game by playing my hardest. And they give me confidence to play my game at the offensive end. I came to give Louisville everything I’ve got. I’m willing to put my life on the line for this team to get wins and win a national championship.”

And now, thanks to Wooley’s unexpected rush of experience due to Brown’s absence, when Brown returns and he or UofL’s other backcourt stalwarts, Ryan Conwell or Isaac McKneely, need a rest or get into foul trouble, Wooley will provide Kelsey will an even more seasoned and reliable replacement to count on.