LSU forward Corey Chest enters NCAA Transfer Portal

LSU forward Corey Chest has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal. He spent two seasons with the Tigers but redshirted during his true freshman season.

Chest made 26 appearances for LSU this season, including 19 starts. He averaged 6.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 60.7% from the field.

Chest had his best game of the season in LSU’s 80-73 loss to Alabama on Jan. 25. In the loss, Chest erupted for 12 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, along with three blocks.

“It’s energy, it’s effort,” LSU head coach Matt McMahon said about Chest’s talents. “Nothing I can coach. He just has a natural feel for how to go chase rebounds and pursue the ball, and he continues to do it at a high level. One of the better instinctual rebounders I’ve been around in my time.”

Corey Chest played high school basketball at Link Academy (LA), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 103 overall player and No. 17 power forward in the 2023 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Chest was a key part of Link Academy’s run to the national championship in the 2022-23 season. He averaged 8.3 points and 5.7 rebounds during the national championship event.

Now, Corey Chest will look to reach new heights elsewhere. He isn’t the only the only one. Chest is the third player to enter the transfer portal this offseason. He is joined by Mike Williams and Tyrell Ward.

LSU’s 2025-25 season didn’t go according to plan. The Tigers went 14-18 and 3-15 in conference play. In fact, LSU finished the season on a six-game losing streak, ultimately culminating in a 91-62 blowout loss against Mississippi State in the SEC Tournament.

Corey Chest didn’t play in the loss due to a foot injury. After the game, LSU head coach Matt McMahon looked back on the disappointing campaign.

“There will be plenty of time to reflect on that,” McMahon said. “The disappointing piece is it felt like our trajectory was good, winning the nine games in the league last year to get in the top half, having a strong non-conference schedule there, going 11-2.

“Just unable to get the job done at the level required, combination of injuries, the overwhelming level of talent and quality of teams in the SEC. Just weren’t able to produce the type of results we wanted in league play.”