Talk about a rollercoaster, Tigers fans! Just when it looked like LSU coach Will Wade was hitting another wall with player eligibility, some massive news dropped on Tuesday. RJ Luis Jr., perhaps the most talked-about player seeking a fifth year, won’t be hitting the court this season. Sources confirmed to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander that Wade has finally given up his months-long battle for Luis’s eligibility. That’s a gut punch, no doubt. But hold up, because there’s also some seriously good news from the international front that just might turn the tide for Wade’s “unconventional” squad.
One Door Closes, Another Kicks Wide Open for Wade’s International Talent
Losing Luis is a tough pill to swallow, especially with the 2026-27 college basketball season less than two weeks away. Wade fought hard for him, but sometimes you just can’t win ’em all. However, it’s not all doom and gloom in Baton Rouge. Two international players are bringing the much-needed clarity and talent. Brice Dessert is expected to be eligible, which is big, but the real game-changer is Saliou Niang. This guy, a former second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, has *already* been cleared to play!
Niang is not just some fringe player either. We’re talking about a 6-foot-8 wing who’s an explosive athlete and, get this, he should be in line to start for the Tigers this season. This isn’t just a hopeful rumor; he’s cleared, and he’s ready to make an impact. Remember his name: Saliou Niang was named the Italian Lega A Most Improved Player in 2025 before declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft. He didn’t sign an NBA contract, which opened his path to LSU. He’ll join Michael Ružić, who was cleared earlier this month for LSU’s first scrimmage.
The “Unconventional” Path and What It Means for the Season
Wade isn’t shying away from how he’s built this team, calling his roster and the process “unconventional” just last month. And he’s got a point. This approach involved a five-player international recruiting class: Niang, Dessert, Ružić, Márcio Santos, and Gilad Levy. The team even hoped Santos would get eligible, but he ended up signing a two-year contract with a professional team in Spain, Kosner Baskonia, which means he’s off the board. It’s a bold strategy, no doubt, but Wade is unapologetic about it. As he put it himself, “just because it’s unconventional doesn’t mean it’s not going to work.” He’s ready for the critics if it doesn’t, but he’s charted this path, and he’s sticking to it.
With Niang and Dessert getting cleared, and Ružić already in the mix, a significant chunk of that international vision is coming to life. The Tigers had 10 players on their roster for the first scrimmage, and adding these guys is huge for depth and talent.
So, with the season kicking off in less than two weeks, the eligibility drama isn’t fully over, but the biggest pieces are falling into place. Wade’s unconventional gamble on international talent is about to be put to the test. With Niang expected to start and Dessert ready to contribute, LSU is betting big on this new look. Can this “unconventional” crew pull it off? We’re about to find out, and it’s going to be wild to watch.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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