Louisville's entire 2018 recruit class decommits amid corruption scandal

If Louisville's men's basketball program doesn't get the "death penalty," they may wish they had; things are going to get a whole lot uglier before they get better.

Both of the Cardinals' current 2018 recruits decommitted from the program Wednesday in the midst of a massive corruption scandal that will likely see both Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino and athletic director Tom Jurich jettisoned from the department.

Five-star shooting guard Anfernee Simons, the No. 8 recruit on the ESPN 100 for 2018, and four-star point guard Courtney Ramey, ESPN's No. 49 recruit, released separate statements indicating they will pursue their hoop dreams elsewhere next fall.

Simons announced his decision via Twitter, stating: "Due to the recent events that have taken place, my family and I have decided it's in my best interest to decommit from the University of Louisville. I will be reopening my recruiting. This was a very tough decision to make and I am deeply saddened by this. I appreciate all of the support from Louisville fans."

Ramey will also reopen his recruitment, his father, Terrell, told Scout's Evan Daniels.

"It's a grinding process and I want my son to enjoy his senior (high school) season without the pressure," Ramey told Scout. "We were all set to go to Louisville and play for coach (Pitino) and play in the ACC. We thought it was a perfect fit, but due to the circumstances we are going to open (his recruitment)."