Louisville men’s basketball is getting a big boost to its roster. Aly Khalifa won his NCAA eligibility appeal and will be able to play for the Cards during the 2025-26 season. The program made the news public Friday in a video Louisville men’s basketball posted on X, formerly Twitter. “We’re even going to be better, because we just found out an hour ago that Aly Khalifa is eligible,” said head coach Pat Kelsey in the video.Last month, UofL announced that the NCAA denied Khalifa’s request for an extension of his five-year clock to use his final season of eligibility after sitting out last season to have surgery to repair a hole in the cartilage of his left knee. The 6-foot-11 native of Alexandria, Egypt, worked with attorney Darren Heitner, who also represented Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, to regain eligibility. Louisville released the following statement Friday afternoon regarding Khalifa’s eligibility:”University of Louisville men’s basketball student-athlete Aly Khalifa has been granted eligibility to compete in the 2025-26 academic year. The University is grateful for the thoughtful consideration given to Aly’s circumstances through the NCAA process and we look forward to his return.”Prior to transferring to UofL, Khalifa played in 94 games in three seasons: two at Charlotte from 2021-2023 and one at BYU (2023-2024).

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Louisville men’s basketball is getting a big boost to its roster.

Aly Khalifa won his NCAA eligibility appeal and will be able to play for the Cards during the 2025-26 season.

The program made the news public Friday in a video Louisville men’s basketball posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“We’re even going to be better, because we just found out an hour ago that Aly Khalifa is eligible,” said head coach Pat Kelsey in the video.

Last month, UofL announced that the NCAA denied Khalifa’s request for an extension of his five-year clock to use his final season of eligibility after sitting out last season to have surgery to repair a hole in the cartilage of his left knee.

The 6-foot-11 native of Alexandria, Egypt, worked with attorney Darren Heitner, who also represented Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, to regain eligibility.

Louisville released the following statement Friday afternoon regarding Khalifa’s eligibility:

“University of Louisville men’s basketball student-athlete Aly Khalifa has been granted eligibility to compete in the 2025-26 academic year. The University is grateful for the thoughtful consideration given to Aly’s circumstances through the NCAA process and we look forward to his return.”

Prior to transferring to UofL, Khalifa played in 94 games in three seasons: two at Charlotte from 2021-2023 and one at BYU (2023-2024).