LSU basketball players react to Jalen Cook transfer waiver decision

News broke Wednesday afternoon that the NCAA had denied transfer Jalen Cook his immediate eligibility waiver. The program has since submitted additional information in hopes of changing the ruling. In the meantime, LSU basketball players are keeping a good mindset about it all, as Carlos Stewart and Tyrell Ward took the time to discuss the ruling on Thursday.

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

— LSU Basketball (@LSUBasketball) November 1, 2023

LSU basketball players share thoughts on Jalen Cook and his transfer waiver denial

Despite entering his fourth season of collegiate basketball and just transferring into the program this offseason, senior point guard Jalen Cook is no stranger to the city of Baton Rouge.

He actually began his career with the Tigers, playing for the purple gold during the 2020-21 season before transferring to Tulane.

The more I watch Jalen Cook from Tulane, the more I see an NBA guy in him.

The combination of handles, self-created offense and playmaking (esp. in P&R!) make him such a special prospect. Very good team defender.

First Team All-AAC this year, w/o a doubt. pic.twitter.com/dmGddU7R5G

— Ersin Demir (@EDemirNBA) December 5, 2022

However, after two seasons at Tulane, he decided to return to LSU basketball to play for coach Matt McMahon. Unfortunately, the NCAA denied him immediate eligibility, due to it being his second time in the transfer portal.

This was a significant loss for the Tigers, as experience like his doesn’t come around very often. Still, the LSU basketball players are keeping a good mindset, and according to transfer guard Carlos Stewart, Cook isn’t letting it get to him.

“He’s actually good,” Carlos Stewart told the media on Thursday. “It was an up-in-the-air toss decision. And he knew that already, but at the end of the day, we know how much Jalen would have meant to this team and how much he would have brought to this team, but we have to move on with the pieces we have.

“We have to move on, and we have to make adjustments to what we have. We have to have guys step up and do what we have to do to be successful. We have enough talent, and we have enough hunger to be successful this season with Jalen or without.”

Furthermore, even without being able to get on the court this season, the transfer is finding other ways to make an impact for his team. Sophomore forward Tyrell Ward continued Stewart’s sentiments, adding that the transfer addition has been a mentor on and off the court.

“Jalen is a really talented player,” Tyrell Ward said. “Even with him not being able to play, his spirits haven’t been down. He still gets in the gym and works out all the time. And he’s still practicing with us, so having that mentor and somebody who’s that experienced at practice is helping us a lot and is gonna carry over to a lot of games.”

Following the NCAA’s decision to deny him immediate eligibility, not all hope is lost. Coach Matt McMahon and the Tigers immediately submitted additional information, hoping to change their mind. As of right now, there haven’t been any further updates.

LSU basketball opens the regular season this coming Monday against Mississippi Valley State in Baton Rouge, LA. The game is set to tip off at 7:00 p.m. CST and will be available to watch live on SEC Network+.

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