With a disappointing season in the past, and a turbulent offseason on the horizon, things continue to shift for Louisville basketball. Two of the program’s 2021 recruiting signees — Eric Van Der Heijden and Bobby Pettiford — have been released from their letters of intent.
Both players signed with Louisville last November; however, that relationship in over. Their recruitments have now been re-opened.
BREAKING | Eric Van Der Heijden and Bobby Pettiford, who each signed a national letter-of-intent with the University of Louisville men's basketball program in November, have been released from their commitments to pursue other opportunities. pic.twitter.com/unlgsmoI6q
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) March 20, 2021
Van Der Heijden, a 3-star hybrid forward, and Pettiford, a 4-star point guard, hail from the state of North Carolina.
Given these locations, it’s not hard to see ACC teams getting in the mix. Van Der Heijden, a Raleigh product, had offers from Clemson and Boston College. Pettiford had an offer from Virginia Tech. More teams could try to enter the race now, though, as college hoops careens towards a wild offseason.
Earlier this week, news came out that Louisville would part ways with assistant coaches Dino Gaudio and Luke Murray.
As far as the 2021 recruiting class goes, Louisville currently still has three signees: 4-star center Roosevelt Wheeler, 4-star small forward Michael James and combo guard El Ellis, the No. 1 JUCO prospect.