An Early Look At 2021-22 LSU Basketball

Photo By: Terrill Weil

5/6/2021
By: Terrill J. Weil
Da Boot Sports


   BATON ROUGE, LA: Will Wade's 2021-22 team will look completely different when it hits the court for practice for the first time in October.  Gone are starters Jovante Smart, Trendon Watford, and Cameron Thomas. Darius Days is going through the NBA Draft process but has yet to hire an agent and could possibly return. Aundre Hyatt, Jalen Cook, and Josh Gray have entered the NCAA transfer portal finding a new home. Hyatt is now at Rutgers, Cook has ended up at Tulane, while Gray has yet to announce his destination. 
   The new landscape of college basketball has become one of frustration for coaches and fans alike. Gone are the days when you would have a solid intact roster for three or four seasons. Top star recruits are almost always guaranteed to be one and done, while bench players hit the transfer portal if they become unhappy with their playing situation. Most programs find themselves caught up in a constant rebuilding phase. 
   Wade has done a great job recruiting top talent since arriving in Baton Rouge, and this upcoming season should be no different.  It's the beauty of college athletics, sadly stars move on, only to be replaced with new ones out of nowhere. 
   The 2021-22 LSU roster has begun to take shape and it's looking to be once again loaded with talent that has the potential to become a deep tournament team. 
   
       Four new additions to the team have arrived via the NCAA transfer portal. 

   Xavier Pinson/Point Guard: Pinson transfers to Tigerland from Missouri where he was the Tigers second leading scorer last season. The 6'-2" junior averaged 13.5 points on 42.6% shooting and 33.6% from the three point arc as a starter in every game. He added 2.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds per outing.
   "We are excited to have Xavier Pinson join the LSU Basketball team," said Coach Wade. "He has performed at a high level in the Southeastern Conference for three years and will certainly provide a veteran presence on both ends of the floor for our basketball team."

   
   Seneca Knight/Shooting Guard: Knight has transferred to LSU from San Jose State. The Louisiana native is from Lafayette where he prepped at Northside High School. The 6'-6", 190lbs Knight will bring a veteran presence to the Tigers after playing two season at San Jose State.  He opted out of last season due to concerns over COVID-19 and then decided to enter the transfer portal days later. The junior will bring much needed depth to the Tigers next season.  He averaged 17.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game for the Spartans.
   

   Tari Eason/Power Forward: Eason leaves Cincinnati to wear the purple and gold.  As a freshmen Eason started eight of 23 games, averaging 7.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals in 19.5 minutes. He was named an AAC All-Freshman Team selection. 
   "We welcome Tari Eason to the LSU Basketball program," said Coach Wade. "He is a versatile live body that can play both inside and out. Tari has tremendous length and athleticism which allows him to be a big defensive presence blocking shots. He is an elite rebounder on both ends which will lead to many second chance points as well as transition offensive opportunities."



   Adam Miller/Shooting Guard:  Miller transfers from Illinois University where he averaged 8.3 points a game as a freshmen full time starter. The 6'-3" guard was a four star recruit out of Peoria, IL. Miller attended Manuel High School as was considered one of the best outside shooters in the 2020 recruiting class. 

   

   Three new true freshmen signees.

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   Jerrell Colbert/Center: Colbert comes to LSU  from Houston High School in Germantown, TN.  At 6'-9", 210-lbs, Colbert is very mobile and is a quality athlete.  He can score off the dribble and can score down low over either shoulder. He is a very good rebounder and an outstanding shot blocker. 
   "We are pleased that Jerrell Colbert will join the LSU Basketball family," said LSU Coach Will Wade. "He is an elite rim
protector that is becoming a complete big man. We are very excited about what Jerrell will bring to us on both ends of the court."

   
   Brandon Murray/Shooting Guard:  Murray comes to LSU loaded with talent. He is a 6'-5", 200-lb guard out of Baltimore, MD.  Several have mentioned that Murray has super star written all over him. 
   "We are glad to have Brandon Murray signing with LSU Basketball," said Coach Wade. "Brandon is a prolific scorer
and shooter. He is one of the hardest workers that I have ever recruited. He is a rugged, tough player on both ends. His ability to score makes him an exciting addition to our team for the 2021-22 season."

   
   
​   Bradley Ezewiro/Center:  Ezewiro was originally suppose to join the LSU 2020 recruiting class, but then decided it would be best to wait a season. The 6'-8", 230-lb center, played at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia this past season.  He is a three star recruit and was listed as the No. 10 recruit in California and 29th nationally on the list of centers before transferring to Oak Hill Academy. 
   "We are happy to have Bradley Ezewiro sign with the LSU Tigers," said Coach Wade. "He continues to improve and will be big asset for us next season as a scorer and rebounder inside for our program."


   The 2021-22 season looks promising for the LSU Fighting Tigers with this new group joining Mwani Wilkerson, Eric Gaines,  and Shareef O'Neal, along with hoping that Darius Days returns for his senior season. 

   GEAUX TIGERS!!!