Veteran LSU point guard could make debut this weekend vs. Texas

The day has finally arrived. After being denied immediate eligibility prior to the 2023-24 season, veteran LSU point guard Jalen Cook will make his debut for the Tigers this coming Saturday vs. Texas, according to coach Matt McMahon.

Veteran LSU point guard set to make season debut vs. Texas on Saturday

Entering the 2023-24 college basketball season, coach Matt McMahon and the Tigers received word that transfer portal addition and veteran LSU point guard Jalen Cook would not be eligible to play in the coming year. It was due to an NCAA ruling, denying his two-time transfer waiver, as this was his second time entering the portal during his college career.

However, for at least the next 13 days, things could be looking a little differently for the Tigers. As of right now, Cook is set to make his season debut on Saturday, as the purple and gold get set to face off against Texas in Houston.

The change has occurred thanks to a Wednesday judge ruling, which has put in place a temporary restraining order, stopping the NCAA from preventing two-time transfers from playing immediately.

NCAA statement to @TheAthletic: “As a result of today’s decision impacting Division I student-athletes, the Association will not enforce the year in residency requirement for multiple-time transfers and will begin notifying member schools.”

— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) December 13, 2023

What does this mean for veteran LSU point guard Jalen Cook? According to coach Matt McMahon, it means we are likely to see the fourth year player this weekend vs. the Longhorns.

“He will have two good days of preparation here, Thursday and Friday, and my understanding is that he is fully cleared and ready to go on Saturday,” McMahon said following Wednesday’s win over Alabama State. “There was a lot of confusion throughout the afternoon and evening (today), and there was not much clarity in the right path. My understanding is he will be locked in and ready to go for Saturday, and I am really happy for him.”

With this ruling, it gives the Tigers a ball handler who can make an immediate impact. Additionally, he has extensive experience, something LSU has been lacking at the point guard position all season long.

Prior to this season

As odd as it may sound, while this is Cook’s season debut, it’s not his career debut with the Tigers. As a part of the class of 2020, four-star guard Jalen Cook began his collegiate career in Baton Rouge.

As a freshman, he struggled to see the court on a consistent basis, but found a way to make an impact where he could. Through 20 games, he averaged 3.1 points and 0.8 assists per game, shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from behind the 3-point line.

However, at the end of the 2020-21 season, he took his talents to New Orleans with Tulane, where he’d play the next two seasons of his career. As a part of the Green Wave basketball program, Cook averaged 18.9 points, 4.2 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

Jalen Cook has made 48% (24-of-50) half court jump shot attempts and is averaging 1.36 points per possession on them, which ranks him in the 96th %tile among all Division I players this season. The Tulane sophomore, who transferred from LSU, is averaging 19.7 PPG on 48% 3PT% pic.twitter.com/cJt5GzfzsA

— DraftExpressContent (@DXContent) January 5, 2022

Bringing him back over to Baton Rouge was a massive win for LSU and coach Matt McMahon, but the denial of his immediate eligibility put the Tigers in a tough position. Now, with the recent judge ruling, LSU basketball fans will finally get to see him in the purple and gold for the first time since 2021.

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