Top 5 former LSU basketball players in the NBA

Feb 10, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Karl-Anthony Towns (12) shoots over LSU Tigers forward Jordan Mickey (25) during the second half of a game at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Kentucky defeated LSU 71-69. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Mickey, Boston Celtics – Power Forward

Going off of the same logic as Jarell Martin, Jordan Mickey grabs the No. 4 spot in the rankings.

Last season, Mickey led LSU in rebounds with 9.9 boards per game and was the team’s second-leading scorer behind Martin with 15.4 points per game. He got off to a very hot start last season, but cooled off down the stretch and remained cold going into the SEC and NCAA tournaments.

The Boston Celtics are centered around young talented players, and adding Mickey to the mix fits in perfectly with the new culture that head coach Brad Stevens has created.

Mickey will prove his value to his new team on the defensive end of the court, impressing the Celtics coaching staff with his ability to block shots. During his two seasons at LSU, Mickey blocked over 100 shots each year, becoming the first LSU player since Shaquille O’Neal to accomplish this feat.

The biggest weakness in Mickey’s game right now is that he turns the ball over on offense way too frequently. At LSU he struggled to move the ball against aggressive defensive players, and could not seem to be able to hold on to the basketball in those situations.

Mickey may struggle when the season begins, but he should improve significantly once he gains some experience on the court going up against NBA competition. Just like Martin, Mickey has serious potential and a wealth of physical talents. It is simply a matter of putting it all together at the next level.

Mickey is already making a positive impression on the Celtics organization, delivering an impressive performance at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Next: No. 3