LSU Basketball Guard Tyrell Ward is stepping away from the program to focus on his mental health

The LSU Basketball team kicked off its season on Wednesday Night but, it did so without one of its key pieces. After missing LSU's exhibition game, Tyrell Ward was ruled out for the season opener which immediately alarmed fans.

Fans started to question if Ward was going to play this season as Ward missed LSU's exhibition game and Matt McMahon said he'd be unavailable for the season opener. When McMahon was asked how long Ward would be unavailable he said the following.

"No, just unavailable for (the game), and that is really all there is to say about it right now, moving forward."

- Matt McMahon

Just moments before the game, Matt McMahon released a statement announcing that Ward won't be playing this season.

"Tyrell Ward and I have decided that he will be stepping away from the program to focus on his mental health. I do not anticipate him returning to competition this season."

- Matt McMahon

No one knows what Tyrell Ward is dealing with but, all that you can do is hope that everything is okay. If Ward doesn't return to LSU he leaves with one of the biggest highlight plays for LSU under Matt McMahon scoring the buzzer beater to beat Kentucky.

We'll have to wait until the postgame press conference to see if Matt McMahon gives us any additional information.

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