While there are still players left in the transfer portal, the LSU Basketball team is done making additions as the Tigers roster is officially set. This offseason, LSU lost 7 players to the transfer portal bringing in 7 players to replace the losses. The 2024-25 season was a massive disappointment for the Tigers as they took a massive step back going just 3-15 in SEC Play.
This offseason, Matt McMahon and his staff were given a bigger NIL budget to work with to help build a winner in the SEC. The Tigers went out and gave this roster a massive talent overhaul giving LSU fans plenty of players to get excited about heading into 2025-26.
As the roster is officially set, here is the most likely starting 5 for the LSU Basketball team next season.
Point Guard - Dedan Thomas Jr - UNLV transfer
After a disappointing season and with added NIL resources, the LSU Basketball team needed to go out and make a splash addition. The Tigers did just that, landing UNLV's Dedan Thomas Jr over a crowded group of blue blood programs. Given Thomas's talent level and the Tigers roster outlook, Thomas Jr is the only player truly locked into a starting role.
Last season at UNLV, Dedan Thomas Jr averaged 15.6 PPG with 4.7 assists per game and 2.0 rebounds per game while shooting 41.3% from the field and 35.3% from 3. Thomas Jr's best ability is his ability to drive creating space and open looks for his teammates which makes having the right pieces around him important for the Tigers.
Shooting Guard - Ron Zipper - Israel
The most interesting addition the LSU Basketball team made is landing Ron Zipper from the Israeli BSL. Zipper comes to LSU with four years of eligibility despite being 22 years old and having played high-level basketball in Europe. This season, Zipper averaged 10.5 points per game while shooting 36.4% from three.
Given the experience Zipper has playing in Israel's highest league, Zipper will be far more polished than a typical freshman making him a potential instant plug and play starter. Zipper's ability to knock down the 3 will be a much welcomed addition after the Tigers were unable to consistently hit open shots.
Small Forward - Reshad King - Northeastern
After landing Dedan Thomas Jr, it was clear that the top priority for Matt McMahon and his staff was landing wings with size to help defensively and with the ability to score. Rashad King showed the ability at Northeastern to be an effective 3-level scorer while his size makes him a great option alongside Thomas and Zipper as it'll allow him to use his size in switches.
Power Forward - Marquel Sutton - Omaha transfer
While it wasn't the highest ranked addition, the addition of Marquel Sutton has a chance to be the most exciting. Marquel Sutton comes in and fills the void of Daimion Collins leaving but, brings a much different skill set than Collins. LSU was often stuck playing small ball lineups due to a lack of center and adding Sutton gives LSU another big.
This season at Omaha, Sutton averaged 18.9 PPG with 7.9 RPG, and 1.2 APG while shooting 47.9% from the field. If Sutton can develop his touch around the rim, the Tigers will have an elite scorer on the inside which they lacked once Jalen Reed was lost for the season.
Center - Jalen Reed
The lone returning player who will likely start for the Tigers is center Jalen Reed depending on if he's healthy at the start of the season after tearing his ACL. When Reed was healthy, LSU was a much better basketball team as he was the Tigers best player on the glass while he was the go-to scorer inside when the offense started to struggle. If Reed can return to form he'll have a chance to dominate on pick and rolls as Thomas is the best guard he'll play with at LSU.