Former Chris Mack commitment Kamari Lands signs with Kenny Payne, Louisville basketball

Brett Dawson, Louisville Courier Journal
·2 min read
Kamari Lands from Hillcrest Prep runs with the ball as Rickey Bradley from Phoenix Prep attemps to block him during a basketball game at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Jan. 5, 2022.
Kamari Lands from Hillcrest Prep runs with the ball as Rickey Bradley from Phoenix Prep attemps to block him during a basketball game at the Footprint Center in Phoenix on Jan. 5, 2022.
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The last remaining player to commit to Chris Mack is the first high school recruit to sign with Kenny Payne.

Kamari Lands, who committed to the Cardinals on New Year's Day when Mack still coached the program, has signed a national letter of intent with Louisville, the school announced Friday.

More: Why Louisville's Kenny Payne says he has 'the best staff in college basketball'

Lands is a 6-8, 195-pound wing from Indianapolis who played this season at Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix. He averaged 33.4 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.5 steals as a senior.

“Kamari is a very talented forward who has a gift of putting the ball in the basket," Payne said in a news release. "While he can score, he is a complete player who can also really rebound and pass as well. He’s a high-character young man who is all about winning.”

Lands is the No. 47 player in the class of 2022 in the 247Sports Composite rankings. ESPN ranks him 39th in the class.

U of L and Mack reached a separation agreement Jan. 26, and the school hired Payne on March 18. Lands is the only player in the high school class of 2022 to stick with the Cardinals through the coaching change.

More: Oregon's Josh Jamieson rounds out Kenny Payne's first Louisville basketball staff

Small forward Tae Davis from Warren Central High School in Indianapolis and Fredrick King, a center at the NBA Academy Latin America, signed with Louisville but opened their recruitments.

Though he's the only high school recruit currently signed with Louisville, Lands is the second member of Payne's first class. Tennessee transfer Brandon Huntley-Hatfield signed financial aid papers with the Cardinals this week.

Lands will participate in the 2022 Iverson Classic All-American Game on Saturday in Memphis. The game, which will also feature Kentucky signees Chris Livingston and Cason Wallace, will air on CBS Sports Network at 4 p.m. Saturday.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kamari Lands signs letter of intent with Louisville basketball