Louisville reveals addition of J’Vonne Hadley from Colorado to its lineup.

Louisville basketball continues to showcase the signings for Pat Kelsey’s inaugural roster, with the addition of J’Vonne Hadley from Colorado marking the fourth official announcement. Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing 205 pounds, Hadley, a shooting guard, will have one year of eligibility left. Coach Kelsey praised him, saying, “J’Vonne is among the most dependable players in this year’s transfer portal class.” He highlighted Hadley’s defensive prowess and rapid overall development throughout his career. Kelsey emphasized Hadley’s relentless work ethic and his significant role in Colorado’s NCAA tournament advancement, where he played nearly every minute across three games. Describing Hadley as a determined competitor with a strong desire to win, Kelsey welcomed him to Louisville with enthusiasm.

During the 2023-24 season, Hadley demonstrated his versatility and impact on the court by starting in all 36 games for Colorado. He maintained impressive averages of 11.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Notably, the St. Paul, Minnesota native showcased efficiency in his shooting, boasting a 53.8% field goal percentage and an 83.9% success rate from the free-throw line. Additionally, he displayed proficiency from beyond the arc, hitting 41.7% of his attempts from 3-point range, making him a well-rounded threat. Hadley’s contributions were instrumental in Colorado’s successful season, culminating in a 26-11 record and notable NCAA Tournament victories over Boise State and Florida. Throughout the season, he recorded four double-doubles and delivered a standout performance with a season-high 24 points against Washington on January 24th.

In the recently concluded season, Colorado culminated with a commendable 26-11 record, advancing to the Sweet 16 stage of the NCAA Tournament. Over the course of six postseason tournament encounters, J’Vonne Hadley maintained averages of 8.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, contributing significantly to Colorado’s tournament journey.

During his inaugural season with Colorado, Hadley demonstrated his proficiency on the court, ranking third on the team in scoring with an average of 8.0 points per game. Despite appearing in only 22 games, he emerged as a dominant force in rebounding, leading the Buffaloes with an average of 5.9 rebounds per game. His shooting efficiency was notable, boasting a commendable 52.5 percent success rate from the field. Additionally, Hadley showcased defensive prowess, ranking fifth on the team in steals with a total of 25 over the season.

Notably, Hadley made a memorable debut against UC Riverside, delivering an impactful performance with 16 points and eight rebounds. His contribution underscored his potential as a valuable asset to the team, setting a promising tone for his tenure at Colorado.

Hadley’s season was interrupted by a hand injury sustained in early February, causing him to miss the final 11 games of the campaign.

Before his time at Colorado, Hadley had a stint at Northeastern for two seasons, preceded by a year at Indian Hills Community College.

During his single season at Indian Hills CC, Hadley garnered recognition with NJCAA Division I First Team All-America honors. He boasted impressive averages of 10.9 points and a team-leading 6.2 rebounds per game, shooting at an efficient 54.8 percent from the field. His contributions were pivotal in Indian Hills’ successful season, which included achievements such as a 27-6 overall record, clinching the NJCAA Region XI regular season title, securing the region championship, and emerging victorious in the NJCAA North Central District Championship. Hadley’s stellar performance earned him accolades as the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference Player of the Year and a spot on the All-Region XI First Team.

Over the span of 71 college games, Hadley has accumulated impressive stats, including 55 starts, 603 points, 359 rebounds, and 118 assists.

A finalist for Minnesota Mr. Basketball, Hadley graduated from Cretin Derham-Hall High School in 2020 after spending his first three years at Mahtomedi High School. He played a pivotal role in leading his teams to notable achievements, including four conference championships, two sectional titles, and two state appearances. Hadley’s exceptional performance on the court earned him recognition as a four-time all-conference and two-time all-state first team selection.