4-star small forward Kamari Lands commits to Louisville

Kamari Lands, a 6-foot-8 small forward out of Indianapolis (Ind.) Hillcrest Prep has committed to Louisville basketball for the class of 2022, he tells On3.

Lands is the Cardinals’ third commitment of the class. He joins Tae Davis and Fredrick King. 

Why Louisville?

“I just felt like it was a great opportunity to go there and play in the ACC and still be kind of close to home,” Lands said. “I think being close to home played a big part in it, so I can be around family. Coach (Chris) Mack, when I went down there, and their whole staff were real down-to-earth people and that really caught me and my family’s attention. They are really good people and treat us well. The offense fits me well. I feel like all around it’s a good choice for me. I fit there. In the community, being close to home, the system, and the coaches.”

Lands is originally from Indianapolis, just over an hour away from Louisville.

How hard of a decision was it?

“To be honest with you, it was a really hard decision,” Lands said. “One of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. It was really close. I liked Arizona State a lot too.”

What does Lands expect his role to be as a freshman?

“Definitely come in and make a big impact early,” he says. “Just come in and score, really. I feel like this year, they lacked perimeter shooting and perimeter scoring so I feel like that’s what they needed. And they needed a go-to type scorer and that’s what I’m going to come in and do.”

What does Lands bring to Louisville?

“I’m definitely going to bring my scoring ability at all levels. My defense as well, I’m a versatile defender, I can guard one through four. And just bring a winning mentality, that competitive mentality…always coming to win. I’m a good teammate as well. I like to bring my teammates together.”

Kamari Lands is the No. 47 prospect in the 2022 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

The Indiana native was once committed to Syracuse. He pledged to the Orange in April but reopened his recruitment a few months later, citing that he decommitted because of potential NIL opportunities.

“I want the opportunity to be recruited with NIL,” he said.

After decommitting from Syracuse, Lands picked up offers from Kansas, Arizona State, Auburn, Maryland, Georgia, Memphis, and of course, Louisville. 

Oddly enough, Louisville was actually one of the last schools to get involved in Lands’ recruitment. The Cardinals offered on October 22nd, and by November 5th, he was on campus for an official visit. Flash forward two months later, Lands is committed to Louisville.