NASSAU, The Bahamas – University of Louisville men’s basketball fans can gain their first look at Pat Kelsey’s 2024-25 Cardinals squad when it plays a pair of exhibition games against international competition as part of the 2024 Baha Mar Hoops Summer League, July 28-Aug. 2, in Nassau, Bahamas.
The six-day trip features two exhibition games – Tuesday, July 30 and Thursday, Aug. 1 – played at the Baha Mar Convention, Arts and Entertainment Center onsite at the stunning Baha Mar resort. Game times and opponents will be announced later.
“I’m excited for our team to participate in the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League in just a few weeks,” Kelsey said. “We’ve brought so many new pieces to our program and the practice and playing time this trip will allow us is invaluable to our team. It will be a vital time for us on the court, but it will also give us plenty of opportunities to gel off the court as well. I hope by taking this trip, we have a real advantage when it comes time to start practicing in the fall.”
Kelsey, who was named to lead Louisville’s storied program in March, comes to The Ville after 12 seasons as a collegiate head coach, including his last three at the College of Charleston and the previous nine at Winthrop. He boasts an impressive 261-122 record (68.1%) across his head coaching career with 11 total conference championships and four NCAA Tournament bids.
Kelsey and his staff are off to a great start having crafted a roster for the 2024-25 season that includes one of the best transfer portal classes in the country. The transfer class has made 13 NCAA appearances over their individual careers. Four incoming transfers have scored at least 1,000 career points and six have played over 2,000 career minutes. The group also holds a Division I winning percentage of .625 over their careers.
NCAA rules allow for a foreign tour by an intercollegiate team once every four academic years. The Baha Mar Hoops Summer League is managed by bdG Sports, a Lexington-based event marketing firm which annually operates two dozen collegiate men’s and women’s basketball games at Baha Mar each November.
“Baha Mar is without question the hottest resort in the world with so many entertainment options onsite,” President and CEO of bdG Sports Brooks Downing said. “It will be an incredible host for the Cardinals and their amazing fan base.”
FAN PACKAGES ON SALE NOW
The trip serves as the first up-close opportunity to catch the Cardinals in action as the Kelsey coaching era begins. Louisville fans interested in attending the Baha Mar Hoops Summer League can request additional details on fan packages by emailing [email protected]. Packages include accommodations at the Baha Mar resort, welcome reception tickets, game tickets, breakfast vouchers and other amenities. Game tickets will be available for purchase in advance at www.bahamarhoops.com beginning Tuesday, June 25 or at the door on game dates.
MORE THAN BASKETBALL AWAITS AT THE BEAUTIFUL BAHA MAR RESORT
The remarkable Baha Mar resort serves as the backdrop to this basketball showcase. Anchored by Grand Hyatt and featuring SLS Baha Mar and Rosewood Baha Mar, the resort is situated on 1,000 acres overlooking Nassau’s famous turquoise ocean waters. The destination resort boasts more than 2,300 rooms, the largest casino in the Caribbean, a $200 million luxury water park, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, the Caribbean’s first and only flagship ESPA Spa and a collection of more than 45 restaurants and lounges.
ABOUT BAHA MAR HOOPS
As part of Baha Mar Hoops, the resort welcomes 20 NCAA men’s and women’s teams for a three-tournament, regular-season event each November as well as holds a summer league that includes exhibition games against international competition as part of a foreign tour. The resort has welcomed Kentucky, Xavier and Penn State for summer exhibition tours in recent years.
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