Tyrell Ward to step away from LSU basketball per Matt McMahon statement

The LSU Tigers basketball team had to deal with some roster changes on Wednesday evening. They had a statement from head coach Matt McMahon before the LSU-ULM game, detailing how Tyrell Ward won’t be playing for the Tigers at all this season. It’s due to mental health reasons.

It appears Tyrell Ward won’t be playing for @LSUBasketball this season. #LSU pic.twitter.com/cB1NHe5ckM

— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) November 7, 2024

“Tyrell Ward and I have decided that he will be stepping away from the program to focus on his mental health. I do not anticipate him returning to competition this season. We are very appreciative of his contributions to our program, and we will be supporting him every step of the way moving forward,” Matt McMahon wrote in his statement prior to the LSU-Louisiana Monroe game on Wednesday evening.

Ward is one of their most critical players, averaging 41.3% from beyond the arc in the 2023-2024 campaign. He also stuffed the stat sheet with 9.1 points and 2.3 rebounds per outing. He also suited up in 31 games last year for LSU, averaging 21.8 minutes per game in his second year with the program. Ward’s best outing came against the Arkansas Razorbacks, when he stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points and five rebounds.

As a freshman, he played in 23 games, averaging 14.2 minutes per outing, averaging 34.8% from beyond-the-arc. Before his time at LSU, Ward played his high school basketball with DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Maryland), one of the nation’s powerhouse programs. He averaged 19.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. Ward was also named first team All-WCAC.

LSU opened up the first half against ULM with a 50-27 win. After playing ULM on Wednesday night, they’ll face Alabama State on Sunday, Nov. 10th.