2 weeks Ago
LSU head coach Matt McMahon walks up the sideline after a foul is called against the Tigers in the first half of the game against Alabama State on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The offseason has been a busy time with a good deal of turnover for LSU men's basketball, which is entering a fourth season under coach Matt McMahon . Seven players have transferred and as of Wednesday, five players have been added to the roster from the transfer portal.
McMahon spoke to The Advocate regarding the offseason and how the 2025-26 team is taking shape. This conversation was before Curtis Givens became the most recent player to enter the portal when it was reported on Wednesday. McMahon said he is thrilled with his team's transfer portal haul thus far as the program has been "very intentional" with the pieces they've acquired.
The Tigers set the tone with the acquisition of sophomore Dedan Thomas from UNLV, who is rated as the No. 18 player in the portal, according to 247Sports. After subpar point guard play last season, McMahon said he and his staff needed someone who could make an immediate impact.
"Just love his electricity that he brings to the position, his ability to create not only for himself, but for others," McMahon said. "Always say the ultimate compliment of a point guard is they make everyone else around them better and I think he certainly does that in many ways." Thomas, who is 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, averaged 15.
6 points on 41.3% from the field and 35.3% from the 3-point line, 4.
7 assists and 1.9 turnovers per game. While the two-time All-Mountain West Conference player's 3-point percentage is solid, his 3-point volume (2.
6 attempts) was unexpectedly low for a player of his size and skill. McMahon isn't concerned and said he expects Thomas to shoot more from beyond the arc. "His catch-and-shoot 3s have been done at a really high percentage, and I think he's an excellent shooter from behind the arc," McMahon said.
"I think he'll be in good position to help us stretch the floor, not only with his ability to shoot the 3, but just his craftiness and creativity off the dribble." In the front court, LSU added bigs in sophomore Michael Nwoko from Mississippi State and senior Marquel Sutton from Omaha. "We wanted to add size, physicality, defensive rebounding, rim protection and we feel like we were able to check those boxes," McMahon said.
With the signings of seniors Rashad King and Max Mackinnon from Northeastern and Portland, respectively, McMahon was enamored with both having good size as 6-6 guards. While everyone outside of Mackinnon is rated in the top 150 of 247Sports transfer portal rankings, the team isn't finished adding transfers to the team. "We want to continue to add players that fit, players that fill important needs for us," McMahon said.
"So we're definitely not complete at this point, but I'm really fired up about the direction we're headed. And I think if we can add another piece or two, we'll be really excited about our roster going into the summer." When asked if there is a preferred position to add depth in, he said the Tigers are just searching for whoever is the "best fit.
" Outside of the transfer portal, they've made additions to its staff. On April 17, LSU announced the hires of general manager Ronald Dupree and assistant coach Yasir Rosemond . McMahon described Dupree as a "perfect person" for the new position as a former LSU star and executive in an NBA front office.
On Rosemond, he said he's a great asset to the program with his coaching experience from Oregon, Alabama, Georgia and most recently Indiana. "I've always been a big fan of Yasir," McMahon said. "I think he's fantastic in player development, relationships with players, and is one of the country's elite recruiters, so really excited to add him to our staff.
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