In a move that was widely anticipated, star LSU forward [autotag]Tari Eason[/autotag] announced on Friday that he will forego his final two seasons of college eligibility and enter the 2022 NBA draft.
Eason is commonly projected to be a first-round pick in June’s draft, where he is mocked as high as the late lottery selections. He announced his decision in a post on Twitter.
“I’m grateful for so much,” he wrote. “To my LSU guys, for every drop of blood and sweat and for being at my side for the daily grind: I appreciate you! I learned so much from y’all, you’re my brothers now. To my coaches, for pushing me and showing me hot to be better on and off the court: I appreciate you. Thank you LSU for taking a chance on an unknown kid! And to the fans who laced ’em up with me every fame: I appreciate you!!!”
đź’ś pic.twitter.com/ee05VT0fGA
— PESO (@TAR13ASON) March 25, 2022
A transfer from Cincinnati, Eason averaged just 7.3 points and 5.9 rebounds as a freshman with the Bearcats last season, but he exploded onto the national radar this season. He led LSU with 16.9 points per game, and he was named the SEC’s Sixth Man of the Year as well as being a semifinalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
Eason helped guide the Tigers to a 12-0 start to the season but after a mediocre finish in which they were eliminated in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in an upset, coach [autotag]Will Wade[/autotag] was fired.
Eason becomes the latest key contributor to depart in the wake of that, as guards [autotag]Brandon Murray[/autotag] and [autotag]Xavier Pinson[/autotag] entered the transfer portal on Thursday. Eason’s departure to the NBA likely would have happened regardless, though.
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