Danielle Lerner | Courier Journal

Dominique Yates, Louisville Courier Journal

Louisville women’s basketball received a major boost with Georgia Tech transfers Elizabeth Balogun and Liz Dixon cleared to play for the Cards this season.

Balogun and Dixon, both sophomores, transferred to Louisville after Georgia Tech head coach MaChelle Joseph was fired last spring. The players were granted immediate eligibility this month, Louisville coach Jeff Walz confirmed to the Courier Journal on Thursday.

“We’re excited to have these two young ladies play immediately,” Walz said. “They bring valuable ACC experience to our program to go along with our talented returnees.”

Balogun, a 6-foot-1 guard, is the reigning Atlantic Coast Conference Freshman of the Year. Dixon, a 6-foot-5 post player, was on the All-ACC freshman team.

The two describe their friendship as a “sisterhood” and told the Courier Journal they are excited to make an impact at Louisville.

“We have the same instincts and we wanted to play together,” Dixon said. “We really motivate each other to play better and help each other.”

Balogun said that while Louisville’s practices are faster and more difficult than what she was used to, she embraces the challenge.

“Expect a lot of defensive stops because that’s my No. 1 goal,” Balogun said. “That and a whole lot of buckets.”

“Same for me,” Dixon added. “Getting buckets, but also post and pressure defense and a lot of passes.”

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Louisville submitted eligibility requests to the NCAA last month, which had to be approved first by the NCAA and then by a board of ACC faculty representatives.