The 2022-23 season was one to forget for LSU basketball. Coach Matt McMahon and the Tigers were forced to endure a complete rebuild as most of the previous roster had moved on from the program. This turned into a 14-19 overall record with just two in-conference victories. Some changes needed to be made, and they did just that by taking to the transfer portal. While we haven’t seen it on-court yet, things are moving in the right direction as LSU basketball lands a big-time commitment from Kentucky transfer Daimion Collins.
LSU basketball lands transfer portal commitment from elite in-conference big-man
Coming out of high school, Daimion Collins was among the best prospects available. He was chosen to be a McDonald’s All-American and finished as the No. 14 player nationally per 247Sports. He ultimately decided to attend Kentucky, where he spent the last two seasons.
Unfortunately, things didn’t exactly pan out for him during his time in Lexington, KY. Battling injuries, having difficulty finding playing time and facing personal struggles off the court, he had a hard time finding his way, ultimately leading him to the transfer portal.
Now, after about a month in the transfer portal, he’s found his final destination – Baton Rouge, LA.
Despite his early collegiate struggles, Daimion Collins is an elite athlete with plenty of potential. In 52 games, he’s averaged 7.7 minutes, 2.4 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.6 blocks per game. While his numbers have been low so far, he’s had plenty of flashes, showing that he’s still more than capable of high-level play. If anything, it could just be a matter of adjusting to the college level.
Collins is one of the best dunkers in the SEC, mainly due to his incredible leaping ability. He’s the kind of player who can immediately boost an offense and defense, thanks to his ability to get higher in the air than anyone else on the court. It certainly helps that he also stands at 6-foot-9, 210 pounds, and is already taller than most other players.
LSU basketball found a good one with Daimion Collins. I would not be surprised to see a breakout season on the way for him in 2023.
The Tigers’ transfer portal class is one of the best in the country
The theme for this transfer portal class appears to be homecoming! Four of the Tigers’ six transfer portal commits are originally from Louisiana, two being from Baton Rouge.
Jordan Wright and Carlos Stewart are each from Baton Rouge and should become a big part of the Tigers‘ guard rotation. Jordan Wright is a guard/forward who played four seasons at Vanderbilt. He stands at 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, and could be an absolute bruiser at the shooting guard position. On the other hand, Stewart stands at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, and could be an electric three-point shooter off the bench.
The only other guard in the class is Jalen Cook, who has been absolutely cooking throughout his collegiate career. He began his at LSU, before transferring to Tulane for his next two seasons. Now, with him coming back to the Tigers, he could easily turn into one of the best guards in the SEC. He averaged 19.9 points, 4.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game in his Junior season. Keep an eye on his handles and passing ability – truly elite.
Finally, the Tigers rounded out their class with two big men who could see immediate playing time with the Tigers. Center Will Baker and power forward Hunter Dean should provide a spectacular presence inside, standing at 7-foot and 6-foot-10, respectively. Expect to see Baker scoring in bulk, while Dean should be an elite rebounder.
The LSU basketball team had some serious work to do following their disappointing 2022-23 season. Lucky for Tigers fans, that’s precisely what they did, and it should pay dividends. With additions like Daimion Collins and the other five transfer portal pick-ups, LSU basketball could be in store for a major increase in wins in 2023-24. Now, they just have to find a way to play together as a team.
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