Kenny Payne’s Louisville program received much needed positive momentum Tuesday with news that freshman point guard Ty-Laur Johnson will be fully eligible to play this season. That’s a good jolt for Louisville, who lost top recruit Trentyn Flowers unexpectedly right before school began and saw assistant coach Nolan Smith reportedly interview for a G-Leauge job in recent weeks. Johnson gives Payne’s Cardinals a much-need backcourt option at point guard besides Illinois transfer Skyy Clark, the projected starter. Johnson was highly-recruited and shows some Russ Smith-like flashes of ability. Johnson may not become a major contributor as a freshman, but he’s capable of being a quick and exciting option off the bench who should be fun to watch develop as he matures and adjusts to ACC hoops.
