The University of Louisville men’s basketball program and head coach Pat Kelsey announced Wednesday the signing of transfer Chucky Hepburn to the 2024-25 roster.
The 6-foot-2 guard joins Louisville after three standout seasons at Wisconsin, where he amassed 1,013 career points, 313 assists, and 162 steals. Hepburn has started all 103 games of his college career.
“Chucky is a winner who has started all 103 games in his college career,” said Kelsey. “He brings a boatload of big game experience and has played in the postseason each of his three college seasons. A true point guard that affects the game on both ends of the floor and is an extension of the head coach while on the court. In the coaching world, he’s recognized as one of the best on-ball defenders in the country. Chucky’s experience and knowledge will make him an invaluable piece of our program.”
Hepburn averaged 9.2 points, 3.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game in 2023-24 for Wisconsin, as the Badgers advanced to both the Big Ten Conference title game and the NCAA Tournament.
The Omaha, Neb., native was named to the Big Ten All-Defensive Team, as well as the league’s All-Tournament Team after averaging 17.3 points, 5.7 assists, and 2.0 steals across Wisconsin’s run to the championship game. That included outputs of 22 and 20 points against Purdue and Illinois, respectively, in the Big Ten semifinals and championship.
Hepburn was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection in both his junior and sophomore years. In 2022-23, he started all 35 games while averaging 12.2 points and 2.9 assists per game. He scored a career-high 27 points in the second round of the NIT against Liberty.
In 2021-22, Hepburn became the first true freshman since 2001 to start in a season opener for Wisconsin. He was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team after averaging 7.9 points, 2.3 assists, and 31 minutes per game. His 2.3 assists per game average was the second-highest mark for a Badger freshman since 2000.
Out of high school, Hepburn was a four-star point guard according to ESPN, ranked as the No. 20 point guard in the nation and the second-ranked 2021 prospect in Nebraska. He was the 2020 Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year out of Bellevue West.
The guard was a three-time All-Metro First-Team honoree, two-time First-Team All-Class All-State honoree, and made four straight state appearances, including winning the Class A state title in his junior season.
With Hepburn’s addition, Louisville looks to bolster its backcourt and continue its competitive edge under Coach Kelsey’s leadership.
