Tag: jalen cook

Jalen Cook won’t make season debut for LSU vs. Alabama State despite ruling against NCAA

While Jalen Cook will likely be granted eligibility soon, he is still out despite the NCAA’s decision on Wednesday to allow two-time transfers to play.

After a federal court issued a temporary ruling against the NCAA’s two-time transfer waiver process on Wednesday, the association announced that it would no longer be enforcing its two-time transfer rules this season.

While the ruling and subsequent decision from the NCAA seemingly cleared the way for LSU’s [autotag]Jalen Cook[/autotag] to play, he will not make his debut in his return to Baton Rouge on Wednesday night against Alabama State.

According to 247Sports’ Glen West, there are still some hangups at the SEC level that prevent Cook from suiting up for now, but in light of the ruling, it seems his return will be imminent.

Cook is a Walker, Louisiana, native who began his career at LSU before transferring to Tulane. A two-year starter for the Green Wave, he averaged a team-high 19.9 points and 4.9 assists last season.

With LSU’s struggles early in the season, Cook’s addition to the lineup could be just the boost Matt McMahon’s team needs.

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Matt McMahon hopeful Jalen Cook will receiver eligibility waiver

LSU is still waiting to hear a ruling on Jalen Cook’s eligibility appeal.

Matt McMahon said LSU is yet to hear the NCAA’s ruling on Jalen Cook’s waiver appeal.

Cook was denied eligibility after transferring to LSU from Tulane. Cook originally began his career at LSU, making this his second transfer before graduating.

Athletes only get one free transfer before graduating, so Cook was not granted automatic eligibility upon his return to LSU. However, LSU is still fighting to get Cook back out there, appealing the waiver that was denied.

Cook was expected to be a key contributor to this LSU team after averaging 19 points over his two years at Tulane.

In his first year at LSU in 2020-21, Cook averaged 7.5 minutes and 3.1 points per game.

LSU, off to a rough 5-3 start, could use the boost from Cook. According to KenPom, LSU’s defense ranks 72nd nationally, but goes along with an offense that ranks just 135th.

Cook’s scoring would bring immediate improvement to that unit.

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BREAKING: LSU two-time transfer guard Jalen Cook denied eligibility waiver by the NCAA

Jalen Cook, a Tulane transfer who began his career at LSU, had an immediate eligibility waiver denied by the NCAA.

LSU’s men’s basketball team took a hit for the 2023-24 season on Wednesday as the team announced in a statement that guard [autotag]Jalen Cook[/autotag], a transfer addition from Tulane who began his career with the Tigers, had an instant eligibility waiver from the NCAA denied due to his status as a two-time transfer.

The program said it is continuing to fight the NCAA’s decision and has submitted further information to the organization.

“LSU recently learned that the NCAA denied an immediate eligibility waiver for men’s basketball student-athlete Jalen Cook,” LSU said in its statement. “Since then, we have submitted additional information to the NCAA for reconsideration and are awaiting their next ruling. We believe strongly in the merit of Jalen’s case for immediate eligibility upon his return to LSU, and we will continue to fight for him. We appreciate the NCAA’s emphasis on student-athlete wellness and mental health, and we thank them for their diligence and continued consideration of Jalen’s case.”

Cook was one of the highlights of a loaded transfer class for the Tigers. An All-AAC First Team selection last season, he averaged 19.9 points, 4.9 assists and 1.8 steals.

He returned to LSU, where his career began, in hopes of becoming a standout SEC player. The Tigers were relying on him to contribute this season, but barring an unforeseen change, they’ll have to wait for next season to see that impact.

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Matt McMahon sets expectations in Year 2 at LSU after inheriting ‘dumpster fire’

Matt McMahon didn’t shy away from difficulties with the roster situation when he arrived at LSU.

There’s no denying that LSU men’s basketball must take a massive step forward in 2023-24.

Coach Matt McMahon’s first season in replacement of [autotag]Will Wade[/autotag], who was fired for NCAA violations, began with quite a bit of promise after he brought some of his top playmakers from Murray State.

The Tigers began the year 12-1, but they went just 2-16 in SEC play in large part thanks to a 14-game losing streak as the team finished just 13-18 overall.

After largely overhauling the roster once again, LSU is expected to take a leap forward this season. McMahon isn’t shying away from those expectations or last season’s disappointment after he inherited what he called a “dumpster fire.”

“There’s a long answer that involves reality and perspective,” McMahon said per On3. “I’m right where I’m supposed to be. It’s an incredible honor to be here coaching at LSU. I understood the challenge that was ahead when I got here. I love the group of people we’ve been able to put together to move our program forward.

“The reality, No. 1 we didn’t win at the level I expect to win at nor the level our fans deserve. The second reality is coach Wade did a good job here at LSU and won a lot of games during his time. Reality three, when I got here in April, all of that was gone. No players, no foundation, no culture, no nothing. It was essentially a dumpster fire and we have to go about a methodical process of rebuilding it. We were able to do that by signing a top ten portal class in the spring with six guys, then there’s an asterisk depending on what happens with [autotag]Jalen Cook[/autotag], We’ll end up signing a top 15 recruiting class in 2024. The other reality is there was an NCAA investigation hanging over the program that was a black cloud and made it very challenging to start a program over from scratch. That’s now complete and that’s now over.”

McMahon certainly has a point as when he arrived at LSU, the roster featured zero players. Through convincing a couple players in the portal to stay, adding a number of transfers and some quick work on the high school recruiting trail, he was able to build a roster, but things were far from ideal.

With a new group in place, the Tigers will hope for a bounce-back this season in Year 2 under McMahon.

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LSU basketball tabbed a winner in transfer portal

Matt McMahon did some good work in the transfer portal this offseason.

LSU got active in the transfer portal yet again this year.

[autotag]Matt McMahon[/autotag], who’s entering the second year of his rebuild, didn’t really have a choice. LSU lost a lot itself, and the Tigers need to add more talent as McMahon looks to mold the team in his image.

On3 named LSU a winner of the transfer period. The Tigers added [autotag]Jalen Cook[/autotag], [autotag]Will Baker[/autotag], [autotag]Carlos Stewart[/autotag], [autotag]Jordan Wright[/autotag] and [autotag]Hunter Dean[/autotag].

Four of those five averaged double-digit scoring at their previous stop last season. Dean, the lone player below that mark, still averaged 8.7 points and 6.1 rebounds.

LSU’s getting much-needed production across the board.

On3 mentions that much of McMahon’s new talent is native to Louisiana. That could help LSU establish an identity within the state.

The most intriguing player in this class is the point guard, Cook.

The guard began his career at LSU under [autotag]Will Wade[/autotag] before flourishing at Tulane last year, where he averaged 19.9 points and 4.9 assists.

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LSU basketball lands Santa Clara transfer guard, Baton Rouge native Carlos Stewart

The Tigers acquired their fourth transfer portal addition on Tuesday.

Coach [autotag]Matt McMahon[/autotag] continues his rebuild of this LSU roster through the transfer portal heading into his second season.

On Tuesday, the Tigers secured the commitment of Santa Clara guard [autotag]Carlos Stewart[/autotag], a Baton Rouge native who attended The Dunham School. After seeing sparing time as a backup during his true freshman season in 2021-22, Stewart started all 33 games he played in for the Broncos this past season.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound rising junior averaged 15.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists during the 2022-23 season, earning First Team All-WCC honors in the process.

“This is a great day to welcome Carlos Stewart home to Baton Rouge, Louisiana,” McMahon said in a release. “We love his explosive scoring ability at the guard position, his competitive spirit, and his passion for LSU. With his 6-7 wingspan and his motor, he will also impact our team on the defensive end of the court. I am looking forward to coaching Carlos at LSU.”

Stewart becomes the fourth player to join the Tigers in the transfer portal this offseason along with Vanderbilt’s [autotag]Jordan Wright[/autotag] (another Batonn Rouge native), Tulane’s [autotag]Jalen Cook[/autotag] (who returns after beginning his career at LSU) and Nevada’s [autotag]Will Baker[/autotag].

Rebuilding through the portal was once again a big need as the Tigers saw seven players opt to transfer following the conclusion of the season. Additions like this will be important if McMahon hopes to improve upon a disastrous Year 1 at LSU.

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LSU guard Cam Hayes enters transfer portal

Hayes becomes the seventh LSU player to enter the portal since the end of the season.

The turnover within the LSU basketball program continued on Friday.

Shortly after the Tigers landed a commitment from Nevada center transfer [autotag]Will Baker[/autotag], guard [autotag]Cam Hayes[/autotag] became the seventh player to enter the portal since the end of coach Matt McMahon’s first season.

A transfer addition last offseason from NC State, Hayes appeared in 31 games and made 18 starts. He averaged 8.1 points and 2.3 assists, but he shot just 40% from the field.

It was the best season of Hayes’ college career statistically, but he struggled with inconsistency. Still, he finished in double figures scoring in 12 games during his lone season in Baton Rouge.

McMahon had to undergo a heavy rebuild when he took this job last offseason, and now it seems he’ll have to do so once again as he prepares to enter his second season at the helm. Luckily, the Tigers have already picked up a pair of wing transfers in [autotag]Jordan Wright[/autotag] from Vanderbilt and [autotag]Jalen Cook[/autotag] from Tulane, who returns to LSU after signing with the Tigers out of high school.

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LSU basketball lands transfer commitment from Nevada big man Will Baker

The Tigers have found a replacement for KJ Williams.

LSU has added yet another piece in the transfer portal heading into coach Matt McMahon’s second season.

On Friday, Nevada center [autotag]Will Baker[/autotag] pledged to the Tigers. A 7-footer from Austin, Texas, who began his career with the nearby Longhorns, Baker started 49 of 53 games over the last two years for the Wolf Pack. As a redshirt junior in 2022-23, he averaged 14.2 points and 5.4 rebounds.

CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein first reported the news of Baker’s commitment.

Baker brings NCAA tournament experience to the table after leading Nevada to the postseason this year. Baker had 17 points and six rebounds in an opening-round loss to Arizona State.

Baker was one of the top available players in the transfer portal this cycle, and he’ll provide a replacement for [autotag]KJ Williams[/autotag], who is departing for the NBA draft after exhausting his college eligibility. He becomes the third transfer to commit to LSU this offseason, joining [autotag]Jordan Wright[/autotag] from Vanderbilt and [autotag]Jalen Cook[/autotag] from Tulane, the latter of which began his career at LSU.

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LSU hosting former All-Mountain West big-man from Nevada for visit

Will Baker started all 32 games for the Wolf Pack in 2022-23.

With six players departing via the transfer portal after a tough first season for [autotag]Matt McMahon[/autotag], LSU has been understandably active in the transfer portal this cycle.

The Tigers have already picked up two commitments, and according to On3, they’ll be hosting former Nevada center [autotag]Will Baker[/autotag]. A four-star prospect and top-40 recruit from Austin, Texas, Baker originally signed with the Longhorns.

After playing in 23 games as a true freshman, he left for Nevada as a midyear transfer in 2021 and took a redshirt year. He became a regular starter over the last two seasons, and he played and started in 32 games this season.

The 7-footer averaged 13.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists and was a third-team All-Mountain West selection.

The Tigers need a lot of help this offseason, but landing an experienced big man like Baker in addition to a talented guard and wing in [autotag]Jalen Cook[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Wright[/autotag] would be a good start.

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Tulane transfer Jalen Cook announces return to LSU

Matt McMahon improved his backcourt with the addition of Cook, who began his career in Baton Rouge.

After a rough Year 1, [autotag]Matt McMahon[/autotag] is giving the rebuild another go.

LSU has been active in the portal and has reportedly been involved with several players. McMahon landed one of the best transfers of his tenure yesterday with the commitment of [autotag]Jalen Cook[/autotag].

Cook began his career at LSU before transferring to Tulane. He averaged 18 and 19.9 points in his two years with Tulane. In 2020-21 with LSU, Cook appeared in 20 games, averaging 3.2 points per contest.

This is a big get for the Tigers. LSU struggled to score last year and lacked a dynamic backcourt presence. In Cook, McMahon now has a guy that scored almost 20 points per night over two years against decent American Athletic Conference competition.

Cook also made 2.2 three-pointers per night with the Green Wave to go along with 4.2 assists and 1.7 steals. Cook was a three-star recruit in the class of 2020 and the second-best recruit from the state of Louisiana.

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