Get to know LSU MBB's new roster, potential for 2023-24

LSU’s 2023-24 men’s basketball roster is set. After the addition of Hunter Dean, a transfer center from George Washington, the Tigers are now at 12 scholarship players, which is their limit after a self-imposed one scholarship penalty.

All-in-all, LSU fans got what they wanted – a completely reshaped and retooled roster. From last year’s team, there are five returners, seven transfers out, and KJ Williams who exhausted his eligibility. After going 2-16 in the SEC last year, there was an intent on building an identity under this new staff. Matt McMahon’s staff knew it was going to be an uphill climb over the offseason, but with a solid foundation of returners, the goal then became adding difference makers. They not only accomplished that, but also brought back home several Louisiana natives from the portal.

We’re several months away from knowing how this collection of players stacks up in the SEC, but here’s a rundown of the new roster, each player’s playstyles, and my thoughts on the roster at this moment.

Returners

Tyrell Ward: A 6-foot-7 wing who will enter his sophomore year with the expectation of pushing for a starting spot or at least being a heavy contributor. Showed flashes of scoring potential with good length. Was a very raw prospect last year. The No. 30 player in the 2022 class.

Derek Fountain: The starting four for most of the season, at 6-foot-10, Fountain was one of the bright spots with his rebounding and efficient offensive game. Good role player.

Jalen Reed: A four-star freshman last year who was clearly trying to adjust to the college game and limited spacing. At 6-foot-10 with a good handle, Reed joins Ward as a player who this staff needs to develop quickly.

Mwani Wilkinson: A 6-foot-5 3 & D wing who enters his fourth season at LSU after being injured and missing the second half of the season. His defense is helpful, but the offense has to develop.

Trae Hannibal: A 6-foot-2 bowling ball who does his damage in the paint. An incredibly up and down player who forces the issue. Won SEC Player of the Week after helping LSU beat Arkansas and almost beat Kentucky, then reverted back to inefficient role player. Excellent guard rebounder.

Transfers in

Jalen Cook: Two-time AAC first-team selection at Tulane, Cook is an electric 6-foot scoring guard who will have to be one of the best guards in the SEC for this team. Expect high usage, high minutes for McMahon’s new lead guard.

Jordan Wright: A 6-foot-6 wing with four years of experience at Vanderbilt, Wright’s efficiency on offense can be questioned, but this team needs his experience, defense, and understanding of the SEC.

Will Baker: A 7-foot scoring center who was one of the more efficient players in the country last year at Nevada. His defense and rebounding needs to improve in the SEC, but his elite offensive game fits what McMahon wants on his roster.

Carlos Stewart: An exciting 6-foot-1 guard from Santa Clara, Stewart is going to be a big piece for this team, likely off the bench. He’s a strong defender with the ability to create for others and score at all three levels.

Hunter Dean: The backup center to Baker, Dean is a strong screener with good strength as a role man. He doesn’t step outside of his role much, resulting in being ultra efficient. Has one year of eligibility remaining coming from George Washington.

Freshmen

Mike Williams: A 6-foot-3 scoring guard who is ranked as the No. 182 player in the country by the On3 Industry Rankings. Likely not ready to contribute this season, but I like his upside.

Corey Chest: A New Orleans native, Chest has an incredibly high motor and passion for doing the dirty work. Can step in and be an effective rebounder and roll man at 6-foot-8.

How good is this roster?

Let’s just take an early guess here. If the starting lineup is Cook, Wright, Ward, Fountain, and Baker, with Stewart, Reed, Wilkinson, Dean and Hannibal off the bench, is that better than last year’s team?

The answer is yes. How much better, though? This wasn’t a team on the cusp of the tournament, but a team that had to start from the ground up. Going from two wins to something like seven sounds easy, but actually doing it will require players to reach their potential. I love the offensive upside on this roster and the ability to score the ball should make this team far more dangerous.

I also expect the SEC to be better than it was last year from top to bottom. Georgia and Ole miss are getting players. Arkansas, Kentucky, Auburn, and Alabama are reloading. So is this roster good enough to get to 7-11 and at least take a step in the right direction in this rebuild? We’ll have to wait and find out.