Alright, college hoops fans, because what’s happening at LSU right now is absolutely wild. We’re just two months out from the 2026-27 season opener and Will Wade’s LSU Tigers officially list only *four* players on their men’s basketball roster. Yeah, you read that right. Four. In his first season during his second run as coach, Wade is seriously rebuilding, and it looks like he is relying on some last-minute court rulings to even fill out a team. This isn’t just a slow start to recruiting, it’s a full-blown roster crisis that Wade is trying to fix with a Hail Mary.
The Courtroom Battle for a Former Big East Star
Wade just got some massive news on Monday when a judge in Baton Rouge granted former Big East Player of the Year, RJ Luis Jr., a preliminary injunction for immediate eligibility in the 2026-27 season. If that injunction sticks, Luis would join the quartet currently on the roster: Divine Ugochukwu, Abdi Bashir Jr., Austin Nunez, and Mouhamed Dioubate. That’s a huge pickup if it holds, giving Wade a proven star. But hold up, the fight for Luis to actually suit up is far from over. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey has already stepped in, asking Judge Ronald Johnson in East Baton Rouge Parish court to uphold NCAA rules that prevent athletes from returning to the college level after signing professional contracts. Sankey means business, and this battle is going to be intense.
Luis’s situation is tricky because he went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft and signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz. The key here is he missed the entire season and *didn’t play* in the G League. Sankey pulled a similar move earlier this year with former Alabama center Charles Bediako, who returned to school after a G League stint and was ruled ineligible after playing five games. The big difference? Bediako actually played in G League games, Luis didn’t, which could be the lifeline Wade needs.
The Transfer Portal Haul and the SEC’s Big Problem
Even with the slow start in the transfer portal after his March hiring, Wade has been busy this month, diving deep to add two former UCLA guards: Skyy Clark and Donovan Dent. Dent is arguably the biggest name among all the Class of 2022 players recently ruled eligible to return to college hoops. He had an “up-and-down season” during his one year at UCLA, but everyone knows Dent is one of the best true point guards in the sport. Adding him is a huge boost for LSU, especially with such a thin roster.
So, here we are. Will Wade is building his new LSU squad with literally a handful of players, and his ability to field a competitive team hinges on court decisions and the transfer portal. This is going to be one wild ride for LSU fans heading into the season.
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.
Leave a Reply