On Monday, LSU basketball received word from three of the program’s star players- Javonte Smart, Trendon Watford, and Darius Days- that they would be withdrawing their names from the 2020 NBA draft and returning to the program.
This is huge news for Will Wade’s team going into the 2020-2021 season with a stacked recruiting class. The returning players complete a deep roster for the Tigers.
Smart, a rising junior guard, averaged 12.5 points per game and led the Tigers in assists last season. His return gives the Tigers an extra guard to replace point guard Skylar Mays, who departed due to graduation.
Watford comes in entering his sophomore season after having one of the best seasons ever by a freshman in the SEC. The former five-star recruit led the team in rebounds with 7.2 per game and scored 13.6 points per game, finishing second on the roster behind Mays.
[lawrence-related id=9688]
Days averaged 11.1 points per game last season, finishing fifth on the team in that category. He was the rotational big man with Emmitt Williams, and could likely hold that spot this season.
Wade getting three of his starters back from last season could put the Tigers in a prime position to win the SEC outright this season. Last year, the Tigers went 21-10, and finished tied for second in the conference with a 12-6 record in SEC play.
Wade also brought in the No. 6 nationally ranked recruiting class. The class is led by shooting guard Cameron Thomas and transfers Shareef O’Neal and Josh LeBlanc.
The Tigers were a lock for the NCAA Tournament before the coronavirus pandemic shut down all collegiate sports. Going into the 2020-21 season, LSU hopes for their chance to make another trip to the big dance and make a run at an SEC Championship.
It will be interesting to see just how far the trio of Watford, Smart, and Days can take the Tigers in 2020 along with the newcomers on the roster.
[vertical-gallery id=9326]