Help is on the way for Louisville.
Freshman guard Kevin Ware had his first practice today (Wednesday), one day after finals ended. He will be eligible to play Saturday when the No. 5 Cardinals play Memphis at the KFC Yum Center, although Cardinals coach Rick Pitino has indicated Ware may not play until the Dec. 23 game against Western Kentucky.
He figures to play some backup point guard behind Peyton Siva, but can also contribute at the two and three positions.
The addition of Ware should help Pitino’s club offset the losses of Wayne Blackshear (torn labrum) and Mike Marra (ACL).
A 6-4 combo guard from Conyers, Ga., Ware initially signed with Tennessee, but was released from his Letter of Intent after the Bruce Pearl firing. He later committed to Central Florida, but changed course after UCF came under investigation by the NCAA. The investigation led to the resignation of AD Keith Tribble. UCF coach Donnie Jones was also suspended three games.
Ware signed a financial aid agreement with the Cardinals in June, was denied a waiver and subsequent appeal for admittance in early September.
A first-team all-state selection as a senior last season, Ware averaged 13.2 points, 4.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals in helping Rockdale County High School post a 26-6 record and finish as the Georgia 4-A state runner-up.
