< PreviousOLIVIA COCHRAN 6-3 | Forward | Freshman | Columbus, Ga. (Carver)High School: n Named a 2020 McDonald’s All-American. n Named 2020 Jersey Mike’s Naismith National High School All-American honorable mention. n Comes to Louisville as the No. 18-ranked player in the class of 2020, according to espnW HoopGurlz. n The five-star prospect is tabbed as the fourth-best player at the forward position. n Prospects Nation ranked her No. 10 overall and as the third-best forward, while she is ranked No. 26 by PASS Scouting Service. n Competed alongside Hailey Van Lith in leading the USA to gold at the 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and scored 41 points, which ranked fourth among all competitors in the 20-team field. n Named a first team Class 4-A All-State selection by the At- lanta Journal Constitution in 2018 and 2019, while being named honorable mention as a freshman in 2017. n Was also named Georgia Class 4A All-State in 2018 and 2019. n Was named Ledger-Enquirer All-Bi-City Player of the Year in 2019, while also being named to the first team in 2018 and 2019 and the second team in 2017. n As a junior, she led Carver to their first ever Class 4-A state title. She averaged 26.0 points, 16.0 rebounds and eight blocked shots a game. She had 15 points and 11 rebounds in the state title game to cap a 32-0 season. n Named to the 2020 Naismith Trophy Girls High School Player of the Year Preseason Watch List. Personal: n Born on November 13, 2001. n Her mother, Tara Williams, was a second-team All-SEC guard as a senior at Auburn in 1997 and played two seasons in the WNBA. Her father, Antonio Cochran, was a defensive lineman at Georgia and was a fourth round pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He played five seasons for Seattle and one season for the Arizona Cardinals. n Majoring in sports administration, minoring in communi- cations Favorites: What do you want to do after college: Play in WNBA Proudest moment of your life: Named McDonald’s All-American Favorite athlete(s): My mom, Kyrie Irving Best compliment you ever received: Beautiful complexion Perfect pizza: Bacon and Sausage Favorite musical group/singer: Tink Favorite movie: Love & Basketball Best subject in school: Social studies Worst subject in school: Math Favorite food: Pizza Favorite TV Show: Moesha, The Walking Dead If you could have a super power: Teleportation Favorite cartoon character: Spongebob Favorite social media platform: Snapchat What you like to do outside of playing basketball: Sleep and shop Biggest Celebrity Crush: Kodak Black Most influential person in your life: Mom and aunt Favorite inspirational quote: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.“ Who or what inspires or motivates you: My siblings One thing not many know about you: I like to sing Funniest player on the team: Me Best dancer on the team: Ahlana Best part of your game: My Grit Pregame routine: Listening to love music Why you chose UofL: Homelike community Favorite thing about UofL: The fans Favorite thing about playing for Coach Walz: He’s always honest and wants the best for you gocards.com n University of Louisville 69 #44 Olivia Cochran Louisville BasketballMERISSAH RUSSELL 5-11 | Guard | Freshman | Ottawa, Ontario (Cairine Wilson)High School: n Ranked as the 29th best guard by espnW. She is listed as a four-star prospect by Prospects Nation and is rated No. 54 overall by PASS Scouting Service. n Played for Canada’s U19 team at the 2019 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand. She helped lead Canada to the quarterfinals, where they fell to eventu- al champion USA and head coach Jeff Walz. She finished the tournament averaging 6.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists. n Also a member of Canada’s Senior National team and par- ticipated as the youngest player on the roster in a five-game European exhibition tour in Belgium and Great Britain. n Was named the MVP of the first ever BioSteele All Cana- dian Girls Game in April, the Canadian version of the Mc- Donald’s All-American game. She finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds and three steals in that game which featured the top 24 female high school players in Canada. Personal: n Born on March 3, 2002. n Daughter of Natalie and Tony Russell, has one sister, Maiyah. n Majoring in Exercise Science. Favorites: What do you want to do after college: Play in the WNBA and overseas. Become a chiropractor. Proudest moment of your life: Representing my national team at the international stage Perfect pizza: Ham, bacon, pineapple, feta cheese and a sprinkle of oregano Favorite musical group/singer: Drake Favorite movie: White Chicks Favorite food: Shrimp Favorite TV show: The Parker’s If you could have a super power: Super speed Favorite social media platform: Snapchat What you like to do outside of playing basketball: Listen to music, watch movies and play fortnite Biggest celebrity crush: Michael Ealy Most influential person in your life: Mother Who or what inspires or motivates you: My family What has been your greatest challenge to overcome: The yo-yo test One thing not many know about you: I have a black belt in karate Funniest player on the team: Olivia Best dancer on the team: Ahlana Best singer on the team: Norika Best part of your game: Competing Why you chose UofL: Great coaching staff and teammates that feel like family, Winning culture Favorite thing about UofL: Teammates Favorite thing about playing for Coach Walz: His competitiveness Favorite Coach Walz saying: “Do they do that in Canada?” gocards.com n University of Louisville 71 #13 Merissah Russell Louisville BasketballHAILEY VAN LITH 5-7 | Guard | Freshman | Wenatchee, Wash. (Cashmere)High School: n Named a 2020 McDonald’s All-American. n One of five players named 2020 to the Jersey Mike’s Na- ismith National High School All-American First Team. n Named 2020 Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Finalist. n Named 2020 Gatorade and MaxPreps Player of the Year in the state of Washington. n Also named USA Today All-USA first team, All-USA Wash- ington first team (2019), Naismith High School All-Ameri- ca honorable mention (2019), Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Class 1A MVP (2018, 2019), Wash- ington State Class 1A Player of the Year (2018, 2019) and WIAA All-State Class 1A first team (2017, 2018, 2019). n Ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the nation by Prospect Nation and No. 8 overall and the top guard by espnW HoopGurlz. n As a senior, helped lead Cashmere High School to a 24-1 record and a trip to the WIAA 2020 Girls Basketball Hard- wood Classic 1A championship game. She averaged 33.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game. n A member of the U19 USA squad that won a gold medal in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. She has been a part of four USA gold medal teams (2019 FIBA U19 World Cup, 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup, 2018 Youth Olympic Games, 2018 FIBA U17 World Cup). n Named 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup MVP and 2018 USA Basketball 3x3 U18 National Championship MVP. She competed alongside Olivia Cochran in leading the USA to gold at the 2019 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and scored a tournament sixth-best 36 points over seven games. n As a junior, she helped lead Cashmere to a 23-3 record and the Washington Class 1-A state semifinals. She aver- aged 34.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.2 steals and 4.9 assists a game. She scored more than 2,000 points after her ju- nior season and set every major statistics record at Cash- mere with one year to play, including single-game records for points (52) and 3-point field goals made (12). n Picked Louisville over Baylor. Personal: n Born on September 9, 2001. n Daughter of Corey and Jessica Van Lith, has one brother Tanner. n Majoring in business. Favorites: What do you want to do after college: WNBA Proudest moment of your life: Winning USA gold medals Favorite sports team(s): LA Sparks Favorite athlete(s): Chelsea Gray, Kyrie Irving Perfect pizza: BBQ Chicken Best subject in school: Math Worst subject in school: History Favorite food: Tacos Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds Favorite social media platform: Snapchat Biggest celebrity crush: Michael B Jordan Most influential person in life: Kobe Bryant Who or what inspires or motivates you: My family Funniest player on the team: Merissah Russell Best dancer on the team: Ahlana Smith Best singer on the team: Olivia Cochran Best part of your game: Swag Pregame routine: Music Why you chose UofL: Competitive environment Favorite thing about UofL: Fans Favorite thing about playing for Coach Walz: He pushes you to be great gocards.com n University of Louisville 73 #10 Hailey Van Lith Louisville BasketballMALEA WILLIAMS 6-4 | Forward | Freshman | Georgetown, Ky. (Scott County)High School: n Named Kentucky Association of Basketball Coaches Re- gion 11 Player of the Year and to the Kentucky All-State Girls Basketball Team. n A finalist for Kentucky Lions Eye Association Miss Basket- ball. n During her senior season, she averaged 19.6 points, 13.6 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game. n Scored a career-high 32 points in an 89-28 win over Bryan Station. n Finished her career with 1,300 points and 1,200 re- bounds. n Led Scott County to a 28-7 record and a trip to the 11th region championship in 2019-20. n In her sophomore and junior seasons, she helped lead the Cardinals to a combined 65-5 record and two trips to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association Sweet 16. Personal: n Born on August 19, 2002. n Daughter of Marseya Williams and Raymond Burnette. n Majoring in Psychology. Favorites: What do you want to do after college: Either be a children’s psychiatrist or play professionally Proudest moment of your life: Committing to UofL Favorite sports team(s): Lakers & Seattle Storm Favorite athlete(s): KD , Giannis, Brittany Griner, Candace Parker Best compliment you ever received: Being told that the sky is my limit by so many people Perfect pizza: Pepperoni Favorite musical group/singer: Beyonce Favorite movie: The Call Best subject in school: English Worst subject in school: Math Favorite food: Seafood Favorite TV show: The 100 If you could have a super power: Teleportation Favorite cartoon character: Spongebob Favorite social media platform: TikTok What you like to do outside of playing basketball: Watch movies Most influential person in your life: My mother Favorite inspirational quote: “You cannot change the cards you were dealt, just the way you play the hand.” Who or what inspires or motivates you: The Blind Side (movie) What has been your greatest challenge to overcome: Seeing my mama sick & still pushing for greatness One thing not many know about you: I can sing Funniest player on the team: Elizabeth Balogun Best dancer on the team: Ahlana Smith Best singer on the team: Me Best part of your game: I’m fast Pregame routine: Music and a little dancing Why you chose UofL: I believe they can help me reach where I want to be in life, both on and off the court. Favorite thing about UofL: The campus Favorite thing about playing for Coach Walz: He’s honest , he knows what he’s talking about and he’s someone you can learn a lot from. Favorite Coach Walz saying: “Good shot Lea Lea” gocards.com n University of Louisville 75 #3 Malea Williams Louisville BasketballLetterwinners Returning (8) No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr.-Exp Hometown (Previous School) GP-GS PPG RPG APG 0 Ramani Parker F 6-4 R-Fr./0L Fresno, Calif. (Montverde Academy) 1 Dana Evans G 5-6 Sr./3L Gary, Ind. (West Side) 30-29 18.0 2.8 4.2 4 Elizabeth Balogun G 6-1 Jr./1L Chattanooga, Tenn. (Georgia Tech) 28-26 8.1 4.6 1.6 5 Mykasa Robinson G 5-7 Jr./2L Ashland, Ky. (Ashland Blazer) 30-3 2.7 3.1 2.3 11 Norika Konno G 5-10 So./1L Sendai, Japan (Seiwa) 16-0 4.6 1.6 1.9 14 Kianna Smith G 6-0 R-Jr./TR Moreno Valley, Calif. (California) 22 Elizabeth Dixon F 6-5 Jr./1L Memphis, Tenn. (Georgia Tech) 32-4 4.4 3.6 0.3 31 Nyah Green G 6-1 R-Fr./0L Allen, Texas (Allen) The Cardinals return eight players from last year’s team, but just five that saw action. Dana Evans and Elizabeth Balogun are the only returning starters. Newcomers (5) No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr.-Exp Hometown (Previous School) PPG RPG 2 Ahlana Smith G 5-9 Jr./TR Charlotte, N.C. (Gulf Coast State) 20.3 4.8 3 Malea Williams F 6-4 Fr./HS Georgetown, Ky. (Scott County) 19.6 13.6 10 Hailey Van Lith G 5-7 Fr./HS Wenatchee, Wash. (Cashmere) 33.8 9.5 13 Merissah Russell G 5-11 Fr./HS Ottawa, Ontario (Cairine Wilson) 44 Olivia Cochran F 6-3 Fr./HS Columbus, Ga. (Carver) Louisville’s recruiting class was rated No. 5 in the country, according to espnW HoopGurlz, which marks the ninth time in the last 11 years that the Cardinals’ coaching staff has compiled a top 15 class. Letterwinners Lost (8) No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr.-Exp Hometown (Previous School) GP-GS PPG RPG APG 2 Yacine Diop G 5-10 Gr./1L Dakar, Senegal (Pittsburgh) 32-6 6.9 3.5 1.3 3 Seygan Robins G 5-10 R-So./1L Harrodsburg, Ky./Mercer County 2-0 0.0 3.0 0.5 12 Lindsey Duvall G 5-9 R-Jr./2L Mt. Washington, Ky. (Bullitt East) 23-0 2.0 1.0 0.2 21 Kylee Shook F 6-4 Gr./4L Colorado Springs, Colo. (Mesa Ridge) 32-28 10.1 8.1 1.0 23 Jazmine Jones G 6-0 Gr./4L Tallahassee, Fla. (Florida A&M Dev.) 32-31 14.1 5.0 3.4 24 Jessica Laemmle G 5-2 Gr./4L Louisville, Ky. (Mercy Academy) 21-2 1.3 0.5 0.5 30 Molly Lockhart F 6-1 R-So./1L Louisville, Ky. (Butler) 10-0 1.2 1.1 0.2 33 Bionca Dunham F 6-2 Gr./4L Philadelphia, Pa. (Imhotep Institute) 31-31 6.1 4.6 0.9 Louisville lost five players to graduation and three to transfer. Jazmine Jones (New York Liberty, 1st Round, 12th pick) and Kyle Shook (New York Liberty, 2nd Round, 13th pick) were selected by the New York Liberty with back-to-back selections in the 2020 WNBA Draft. n Starters Returning (2): Elizabeth Balogun, Dana Evans n Starters Lost (3): Bionca Dunham, Jazmine Jones, Kylee Shook n Letterwinners Returning: 8 (listed above) n Letterwinners Lost: 8 (listed above) n Newcomers: 5 (listed above; four high school products, one junior college transfer) n Seniors: 1 (Dana Evans) n Juniors: 5 (Elizabeth Balogun, Elizabeth Dixon, Mykasa Robinson, Ahlana Smith, Kianna Smith) n Sophomores: 1 (Norika Konno) n Freshmen: 6 (Olivia Cochran, Nyah Green, Ramani Parker, Merissah Russell, Hailey Van Lith, Malea Williams) n Players by State: California (2) – Ramani Parker, Kianna Smith Georgia (1) – Olivia Cochran Indiana (1) – Dana Evans Kentucky (2) – Mykasa Robinson, Malea Williams North Carolina (1) – Ahlana Smith Tennessee (2) - Elizabeth Balogun, Elizabeth Dixon Texas (1) - Nyah Green Washington (1) – Hailey Van Lith n Players by Country: Japan (1) - Norika Konno Canada (1) – Merissah Russell n Tallest Players: Elizabeth Dixon, 6-5 n Shortest Player: Dana Evans, 5-6 n Oldest Player: Dana Evans, 22 (born August 1, 1998) n Youngest Player: Merissah Russell, 18 (March 3, 2002) n In-Season Birthdays: Mykasa Robinson, Feb. 6, 2000 (will be 21); Nyah Green, Feb. 8, 2001 (will be 20); Merissah Russell, March 3, 2002 (will be 19); Miscellaneous Roster Information 76 University of Louisville n gocards.com Roster Analysis Louisville Basketball JapanOntario CanadaRamani Parker F | 6-4 | R-Fr. Fresno, Calif. (Montverde Academy) 0 Ahlana Smith G | 5-9 | Jr. Charlotte, N.C. (Gulf Coast State) 2 Malea Williams F | 6-4 | Fr. Georgetown, Ky. (Scott County) 3 Elizabeth Balogun G | 6-1 | Jr. Chattanooga, Tenn. (Georgia Tech) 4 Dana Evans G | 5-6 | Sr. Gary, Ind. (West Side) 1 Jeff Walz Head Coach Stephanie Norman Associate Head Coach Jonneshia Pineda Assistant Coach Sam Purcell Associate Coach Coaching Staff Mykasa Robinson G | 5-7 | Jr. Ashland, Ky. (Ashland Blazer) 5 Merissah Russell G | 5-11 | Fr. Ottawa, Ontario (Cairine Wilson) 13 Hailey Van Lith G | 5-7 | Fr. Wenatchee, Wash. (Cashmere) 10Norika Konno G | 5-10 | So. Sendai, Japan (Seiwa) 11 Kianna Smith G | 6-0 | R-Jr. Moreno Valley, Calif. (California) 14 Elizabeth Dixon F | 6-5 | Jr. Memphis, Tenn. (Georgia Tech) 22 Nyah Green G | 6-1 | R-Fr. Allen, Texas (Allen) 31Olivia Cochran F | 6-3 | Fr. Columbus, Ga. (Carver) 44 Kate Tucker Director of Operations gocards.com n University of Louisville 77 Radio/TV Chart Louisville BasketballNext >