The LSU Men’s Basketball program took another hit this week as freshman guard Jalen Cook entered the NCAA’s transfer portal on Thursday.
Now, in the last two days, the Tigers have seen both Cook and veteran teammate Aundre Hyatt enter the portal.
The recent 2020-2021 LSU roster has now lost a total of six players to the NBA Draft and the NCAA transfer portal since the end of the season. Now with the loss of Cook, LSU’s defense takes a major hit.
In his single season with the Tigers, Cook averaged 3.1 points per game in 20 appearances but was most known for his effort and intensity on the defensive end.
[lawrence-related id=17019]
He became one of LSU’s best on-ball defenders, and had he stayed with the Tigers, he would’ve become a long-term option to play at the point during the upcoming seasons.
The Walker High School alum averaged 30 points during his senior year and was emerging into a hopeful threat for LSU, but playing behind Cam Thomas and Jovante Smart limited him as an offensive option during the 2020-2021 season.
Cook scored a season and career-high for the Tigers scoring 11 points in a loss to Georgia, but his tenacity of defense kept him on the floor.
LSU is now left with four guards for the upcoming season including Gaines, Brandon Murray, and transfers Seneca Knight and Xavier Pinson, who committed to the Tigers earlier this week.
That LSU backcourt will surely need some polishing now for the upcoming season.
[listicle id=15849]