Matt McMahon provides injury, availability updates with less than a week before start of season

With LSU set to open the 2023-24 basketball season on Monday, coach Matt McMahon provided a full injury update. There are several players whose status is in question when the Tigers tip off against Mississippi Valley State at home.

Three LSU players are dealing with injuries that may cause them to have to sit out. Trae Hannibal, Hunter Dean and Derek Fountain all missed Monday night’s exhibition game against Louisiana Christian.

McMahon revealed that Hannibal was out with an illness but that the team expects him back at practice this week. As for Dean and Fountain, both are considered “day-to-day” and seemingly have a higher chance of missing the season opener.

“Hunter Dean was on the bench out with an injured shoulder,” McMahon said. “Day-to-day. Getting closer to 100%. Went through shootaround today and hope to have him full go on Wednesday.

“Then Derek Fountain had been playing really well. Dealing with a stomach issue that’s held him out for the last week. Again, day-to-day. Hopeful to have him back and ready to go for the opener against Mississippi Valley State.”

Dean transferred to LSU this offseason after playing the past three seasons at George Washington. He started 26 games for the Colonials this past season to average a career-high 8.7 points along with 6.1 rebounds while shooting 64.1%.

Fountain was a starter for the Tigers in 2022-23 and finished fourth on the team with 8.0 points as well as 5.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. He figures to once again claim a starting role this season if healthy.

Hannibal was a key contributor off the bench for LSU this past season. He averaged 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists across 20.6 minutes per game.

McMahon also addressed the availability of point guard Jalen Cook, who transferred back to LSU after two seasons at Tulane. He originally began his college career in Baton Rouge but transferred after his freshman season and will require a waiver from the NCAA to be eligible immediately.

At the time of the interview, McMahon was still awaiting word on Cook’s status. That changed Wednesday as the NCAA denied his waiver for eligibility.

Cook was a starter for the Green Wave each of the past two seasons and earned first team All-AAC honors each year. He averaged 19.0 points, 4.2 assists and 1.7 steals in that span and his presence this season will certainly be missed.

LSU basketball will hope for better news on the injury front as it is scheduled to tip off against Mississippi Valley State at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday.