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    Photo courtesy University of Louisville Men’s Basketball Facebook Page
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    Montrezl Harrell foregoing his senior season was a forgone conclusion, after all the junior forward for the University of Louisville men’s basketball team went through “Senior Day” ceremonies at the team’s final regular-season home game.

    Terry Rozier skipping his final two seasons in red and white wasn’t as definitive, to some observers at least, but it was pretty probable considering his sensational sophomore season.

    So it wasn’t much of a surprise Monday when UofL coach Rick Pitino said that both players are “leaving, 100 percent,” at his end-of-season press conference.

    Both are projected to be first-round picks in this summer’s NBA Draft.

    Harrell, a 6-foot-8 forward, averaged 15.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while shooting 56.6 percent from the field this season for the Cardinals, who finished 27-9 with their 76-70 overtime loss to Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament’s East Region final Sunday afternoon.

    Rozier, a 6-1 combo guard from Youngstown, Ohio, had a breakout season for Louisville after the graduation of Russ Smith. Rozier averaged a team-high 17.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and three assists per game while shooting 79 percent from the free throw line this season. That after averaging seven points and 3.1 rebounds per game in a reserve role as a freshman.

    Rozier played arguably his best game of the season in the Cards’ 66-53 victory over Northern Iowa in the third round of the NCAA Tournament. He tallied 25 points, seven assists and five rebounds in UofL’s 13-point victory.

    Harrell and Rozier are projected Top 20 picks in June’s draft, according to the website www.nbadraft.net. The site has Harrell going 13th overall to the Houston Rockets and Rozier going 19th to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

    Then came word later in Monday afternoon that another player was leaving Louisville. Sophomore guard Anton Gill will transfer at the conclusion of the spring semester, according to a press release.

    Many expected Gill to play a large role this season, but he averaged only 2.5 points per game and was bypassed in the guard rotation by freshman Quentin Snider. Gill, though, did go out with a bang. Out of nowhere he came off the bench and scored seven points - including the go-ahead basket - in 11 minutes in UofL’s 75-65 win over N.C. State in the region semifinals this past Friday night.

    “I want to thank all of my coaches and teammates for two great years,” Gill said in the release. “I really appreciate all of the support I received from everyone. I’ve talked to my family and will take my time to look at my next step after I finish out this semester. I’m just looking for a fresh start to try something new.”

    Photo courtesy University of Louisville Men’s Basketball Facebook Page

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