LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A new Card is joining Louisville's basketball team. Hailing from Marshall University, Jarrod West signed a financial aid agreement to play his final collegiate season with the University of Louisville in 2021-22, according to a release from Louisville Athletics.

“We are super excited to add Jarrod West to our program,” said UofL head coach Chris Mack. “Jarrod knows how to run a team and is one of the best defensive players at his position in the country. He’s a coach’s son who is an exemplary teammate and competitor. His ability to shoot and take care of the ball is such a bonus for our team. We can’t wait to get Jarrod here in June."

As a senior for Marshall last season, West averaged a Conference USA-leading 6.0 assists (12th in the nation) and 2.5 steals (11th in the nation), adding 12.5 points (17th in C-USA) and 3.5 rebounds per game. The 5-11 guard from Clarksburg, W.Va. connected on 40.8% of his three-point goals (42-of-103) in 21 games as the Thundering Herd posted a 15-7 record and finished third in the Conference USA East standings with a 9-5 record. Selected to the 2021 All-Conference USA second team and C-USA All-Defensive Team, his 2.86 assists/turnover ratio also led C-USA. He had three or more steals in nine games last season.

West garnered significant numbers at Marshall. During his four years there, he amassed 1,204 points (35th all-time at MU), 424 assists, 393 rebounds, and a school record 254 steals in his 126 career games (tied for fifth at Marshall), starting all but three of those games. His career steals mark is the second-most in Conference USA history, only 10 short of the league record, and ranks fourth in the nation among active players. He was a career 37.6% shooter from three-point range, making 215-of-572 threes, the fifth-most threes made at Marshall. West had 57 career double-figure scoring games at Marshall and handed out five or more assists on 39 occasions.

West was the only player in Conference USA to rank in the conference top 10 in scoring, assists, and steals while he was a junior in 2019-20. When he was honored on the All-Conference USA Third-Team, C-USA All-Defensive Team, and C-USA All-Academic Team, he averaged 14.2 points (10th in C-USA), 4.1 assists (fourth), 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 steals (first). West has been recognized for his achievements off the court. He earned the 2020 Conference USA Winter Sports Spirit of Service Award for Marshall, which is presented to student-athletes within C-USA who "exemplify excellence within their sport, in the classroom and within community service endeavors," according to a release.

As a sophomore in 2018-19, West collected a school record of 80 steals. His career highs include 29 points against Middle Tennessee on Feb. 13, 11 assists at Western Kentucky on Jan. 25, 2020, and seven steals against Robert Morris on Dec. 20 (tied for the fourth-most steals in Marshall history).

West also earned the 2017 Bill Evans Award, presented annually by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association to the state's top boys prep basketball player, making him the first Class A player to earn the award in 33 years. 

He chose Louisville for his collegiate season after narrowing down his choices to Ohio State and Pittsburgh.