NCAA makes decision on Jalen Cook's waiver

Jalen Cook’s two-time waiver has been denied by the NCAA and will not be eligible to play for LSU this season. LSU says it has since submitted additional information and are awaiting the next ruling, saying “We believe strongly in the merit of Jalen’s case for immediate eligibility upon his return to LSU and we will continue to fight for him.”

It’s a potentially massive blow for Matt McMahon and LSU heading into the 2023-24 season as Cook was expected to be the star point guard for the Tigers entering the year. 

A Statement From LSU Athletics On Men’s Basketball Student-Athlete Jalen Cook: pic.twitter.com/BvXv6ujAaa

— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) November 1, 2023

Here is the statement the NCAA sent ESPN regarding the two-time transfers.

“As a result of the DI Council vote, multiple-time transfers who cannot demonstrate and adequately document a personal need for medical or safety reasons to depart the previous school are not eligible to compete immediately following their second undergraduate transfer. National office staff, at the direction of NCAA members, have begun applying those criteria for multiple-time transfers for the 2023-24 academic year.”

Cook began his career at LSU as a freshman under Will Wade, but transferred to Tulane where he spent the last two seasons emerging as one of the more prolific point guards in the country. He veraged 18 points per game in 2022 before getting even better and scoring 19.9 points in 2023 on 45.2 percent shooting from the field. In addition, Cook averaged 4.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game this past season en route to a second consecutive season on the All-AAC first team.

Back in 2020, his one year at LSU, Cook was buried behind Javonte Smart and Cam Thomas in the backcourt, forcing him to look elsewhere. After proving himself down in New Orleans, Cook and LSU made the case that LSU was always where he wanted to be and he was simply returning to the best situation for him.

A native of Walker, Louisiana, this is what Cook said of his return to the Tigers with On3 back in April.

“I picked LSU because going into my last year, I wanted to be at a school where they had the resources to get me to the next level and elevate my game and become not just a better player but better person. Coach (Matt) McMahon is a great coach and has produced big time guards and I love how he let them play with freedom and run the team. LSU has a great culture and coaching staff that is bought in. LSU is home for me and is my favorite school and there is no other place I’d rather play for my last year in college. Bringing a national championship back home is a goal I set as a kid.”

What’s next for LSU

Most teams that have had waivers denied so far have been quick to appeal the decision, but it is unclear if the NCAA is willing to make changes barring new information being presented.

Cook was rated as the No. 13 player in the transfer portal by On3, making him one of the more highly touted players on the move. His list of interested schools reflected that, as Cook heard from several schools in Texas and throughout the SEC looking to get his services.

Without Cook, LSU turns to transfer guard Carlos Stewart, returning guard Trae Hannibal, and freshman Mike Williams to step up and fill the role of primary ball-handler and creator on this offense at the guard spot.

“It’s two different styles of play on the offensive end of the floor. Jalen is a heavy ball screen usage player who’s been really effective scoring and assisting in his career,” McMahon said. “Some of our other guards flourish more in dribble handoffs or stagger screens or things of that nature. That has caused us to keep a balance of doing both depending on how that situation plays out.”