The transfer portal is in full swing as the portal opened on Monday Morning, leading to over 1,000 college basketball players entering the transfer portal seeking a new program. LSU is heading into a crucial offseason after going 3-15 in SEC Play during Matt McMahon's third season leading LSU. This offseason was always going to be a massive rebuild and the Tigers already have some new holes to fill as Vyctorius Miller, Corey Chest, Mike Williams III, and Tyrell Ward entered the transfer portal.
As LSU vowed to invest more resources into the basketball program, the LSU Basketball team is going to spend big in the transfer portal to build a roster that can compete in the SEC. While the transfer portal has been open less than a week, LSU has already started to reach out to a handful of transfers that they're interested in adding.
Dedan Thomas Jr - Guard - UNLV - (Committed to LSU)
- 15.6 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 4.7 APG, and 41.3% FG
The LSU Tigers needed to leave this transfer portal cycle with a star player and after nabbing Dedan Thomas Jr, the Tigers have their star. Thomas scored 15.6 points per game with 43.1% shooting from the field while showcasing the ability to create for his teammates. Matt McMahon will finally have a multi-year starting point guard in Thomas who can help getting LSU back on track.
Mike Nwoko - Center - Mississippi State - (Committed to LSU)
- 6.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 0.7 APG, and 52.5% FG
After losing Corey Chest to the transfer portal, LSU moved swiftly to fill their hole at center adding Mississippi State starting center Michael Nwoko. This season Nwoko started every game for the Bulldogs after spending his Freshman season at Miami. Nwoko is still young with room to improve and he'll give the Tigers plenty of size off the bench.
TJ Simpkins - Guard - Elon
- 14.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.9 APG, and 40.8% FG
On Tuesday, the LSU Basketball team hosted guard TJ Simpkins along with his brother on recruiting visits. TJ Simpkins is coming off of an impressive Sophomore season and is looking to take the jump into the Power Four. Simpkins had impressive showings against North Carolina and Notre Dame which show he'll be able to transition nicely to the higher level.
TK Simpkins - Guard - Elon
- 16.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.6 APG, and 42.3% FG
While TK Simpkins had the more impressive season, TJ Simpkins likely will draw a bigger crowd is TK Simpkins has one less year of eligibility. TK Simpkins is a high level scorer with an ability to knock down the three which is needed after this season. The brothers will likely be a package deal which would make for a big addition for the Tigers.
Keyshawn Hall - Forward - UCF
- 18.8 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, and 42.7% FG
The LSU Tigers had a zoom visit with UCF Knights transfer Keyshawn Hall during the second week of the transfer portal. Hall is an ideal player for the LSU Tigers as he brings size and versatility to the wings which will especially help on the defensive end. Adding a player like Hall with the scoring ability at Power Forward next to Jalen Reed would give the Tigers an incredible 1-2 punch in the front court.
Nik Graves - Guard - Charlotte - (Committed to Creighton)
- 17.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 41.7% FG.
This transfer cycle, LSU will be heavily involved in recruiting transfer guards and one of several guards LSU has reached out to is Charlotte transfer Nik Graves. Coming off of a strong Junior season, Graves is going to draw a ton of high major interest which will make it tough for LSU to win out in this recruitment. Graves can be a player that comes in and is one of the Tigers top scorers helping replace all of the production LSU has lost.
Jalen Jackson - Guard - Purdue Fort Wayne
- 19.2 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.1 APG, and 48.4% FG
One of the Nation's top scorers Jalen Jackson entered the transfer portal and LSU wasted little time getting in contact. One of the biggest themes of this offseason and transfer cycle will be looking to find elite scoring guards. Jackson ranked 36th in the Country in points per game making him an attractive piece to pursue for an LSU team that needs as much talent as they can get. Jackson was already looking to plan visits with Notre Dame, Michigan, Butler, Clemson, and Tennessee which could mean LSU isn't in the picture.
CJ Luster II - Guard - Stony Brook
- 16.8 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.2 APG, and 42.9% FG
If LSU is going to take a chance on elite scorers outside of the Power Four, the Tigers may make a run at Stony Brook guard CJ Luster II. After struggling all season long to knock down the three, a guard like Luster who shot 44.4% from three is a player that LSU could certainly use. Luster can come into LSU and fill the void of losing Cam Carter but, the Tigers would also need to add a few more pieces around him as he jumps into the SEC.
Jaden Henley - Guard - UNLV
- 12.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.8 APG, and 43.3% FG
If there's a player that checks the most needs for LSU this transfer portal cycle it may be UNLV Guard Jaden Henley. At 6"7, Henley is a guard with size which is great to have in the SEC as he can switch onto several players defensively. On offense, Henley is a highly capable scorer and if he were to become more of a focal point of an offense, his production will only take the next jump.
Jacari White - Guard - North Dakota State
- 17.1 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 45.2% FG
This transfer portal cycle, Jacari White will be one of the most sought after players after taking a massive jump at North Dakota State. White has the scoring ability to lead any team in scoring and with LSU replacing Cam Carter, White can be LSU's replacement. The Tigers will have steep competition for White but, the Tigers heavily invested in NIL for this reason.
Tanahj Pettway - Guard - Prairie View A&M
- 17.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, and 44.1% FG
As LSU looks to replace primary point guard Jordan Sears, the Tigers have contacted Prairie View A&M guard Tanahj Pettway. At Prairie View A&M, Pettway scored 17.0 points per game which is attractive to LSU with the amount of scoring the Tigers will have to replace. Given that Pettway only has one season of eligibility left, he makes a ton of sense for LSU as a bridge guard while LSU's younger guards continue to develop.
Marquel Sutton - Forward - Omaha
- 18.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.2 APG, and 47.9% FG
This season, LSU severely lacked size as opponents after suffering injuries to Jalen Reed, Corey Chest, and other forwards at different points in time. LSU has reached out to Marquel Sutton who will be highly sought after following his dominant season. Sutton would be a great fit alongside Jalen Reed in the starting lineup and is the caliber player you invest heavily in. Sutton is visiting LSU on Wednesday April 2nd.
Sam Lewis - Guard - Toledo
- 16.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 1.2 APG, and 47.0% FG
While most of the players LSU will pursue are heading into their Junior year, the program would love to land younger players who can stay for multiple year. Sam Lewis fits that billing coming off of an impressive Sophomore season at Toledo. Lewis shot 44.4% from three which would be a much-welcomed addition after LSU had little to no success this year from deep.
More LSU News:
feed