Back last summer during a basketball game that Montrezl Harrell was playing in for the U-19 USA team (where he won gold) the announcer of the game used “Enthusiasm Personified” to describe Montrezl on a basketball court. I haven’t heard anything better to describe what he does on a basketball floor since. In my 30 plus years of watching college basketball I haven’t seen anyone with a motor like he has. Today an ordinary Monday became an extraordinary one when Montrezl tweeted out the he was bringing his “Enthusiasm Personified” back to Louisville for his Junior season.
Coming into his college career some thought he would be in position limbo, but with Pitino’s style of play and his physical growth he has become a nightmare match-up for a small forward and a unique match-up for a bigger guy. He has shown in just the last couple of years that he is developing his game more in the post and also improving his ball skills. All the while taking advantage of the most high percentage shot in the game of basketball, “The Slam Dunk”. This kid has all the raw materials and when he plays he goes hard, real hard “Enthusiasm Personified”. With that Enthusiasm Montrezl has soared to the top of the dunk record books and now resides with the likes of “The Doctors of Dunk”, “Dr. Dunkenstein” and many more who have rocked the rim during their time as Cardinals.
The announcement of his return will all but guarantee that Louisville will have a new dunk leader after next season and it makes our Cardinals a legit contender for the National Title again next season. In a day where kids are leaving school early for that quick paycheck Louisville players have become the standard for doing just the opposite. It is great to see kids be able to embrace the college sports life and it’s great to see them really live the Louisville First, Cardinals Forever motto. Today’s announcement again proves that it’s not just words we speak but has become something real.
I don’t really know how you thank someone for turning down millions of dollars to play for your favorite college team, but I guess it would look something like this:
Thank you for coming back for one more run Montrezl!.. Can’t wait to see you dominate the front-court in the ACC next season. L1C4..! Go Cards!
-Montrezl Harrell talks about his decision to come back:
