After watching most of the rest of the SEC have all the fun this season, LSU wants in on the action.
On Monday, the Tigers made a massive splash in the transfer portal, landing UNLV sophomore guard Dedan Thomas Jr.
Thomas started 26 games in 2024-25 and averaged 15.6 points and 4.7 assists per game. He’s a career 35.8 percent shooter on three-point attempts (43.2 percent overall) in 60 career games.
He ranked No. 4 in 247 Sports’ transfer portal player rankings and No. 9 by ESPN.
Landing Thomas is a major get for LSU. Per multiple reports, Thomas was also considering blue-blood Kentucky and 2025 SEC Tournament champion Florida, which punched its ticket to the men’s NCAA Tournament Final Four on Saturday.
LSU’s ability to attract the top remaining point guard in the portal is a massive win for a program with few on the court in recent seasons.
LSU head coach Matt McMahon has had two losing seasons in his first three years following Will Wade’s firing in the wake of an NCAA investigation.
In 2024-25, the Tigers were 14-18, including 3-15 in conference play. The 2025-26 season is shaping up to be pivotal for McMahon, and he’s laying the groundwork for a turnaround.
LSU currently has the No. 6 2025 high-school recruiting class in the SEC, led by three four-stars, including 6-foot point guard Jalen Reece, 6-foot-5 shooting guard Mazi Mosley and 6-foot-10 power forward Matt Gilhool.
This season, the SEC sent a record 14 teams to the men’s NCAA Tournament. LSU was one of two teams, along with South Carolina, from the conference to fail to make the 68-team field.
With the majority of the SEC committed to basketball, it’s about time LSU joined the party.
