Projected Roster:
PG: Sophomore, Tremont Waters (15.9 ppg, 6.0 apg)
SG: Junior, Skylar Mays (11.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
SF: Freshman, Emmitt Williams (Oak Ridge High School)
PF: Freshman, Nazreon Reid (Roselle Catholic High School)
C: Wayde Sims (5.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg)
BENCH: Daryl Edwards (6.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg)
BENCH: Brandon Rachel (4.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg)
BENCH: Javonte Smart (Scotlandville Magnet High School)
Explanation: In the 2015-16 season, Johnny Jones and the LSU coaching staff put together one of the best recruiting classes in the history of LSU basketball. With number one overall recruit, Ben Simmons and number 15 ranked recruit, Antonio Blakeney both coming to LSU, the Tigers were expected to have a historic season. But, after failing to gel as a team LSU missed out on the NCAA tournament. Due to this catastrophic failure head coach, Johnny Jones was fired. Later in the 2017 season, LSU hired former VCU head man, Will Wade.
Wade has since turned the program around. Wade was able to assemble a decent 2017 recruiting class, and has since improved with admirable 2018 recruiting class. Wade has pulled in top players such as, Nazreon Reid, Emmitt Williams, and Javonte Smart. With the 5th ranked recruiting class and star sophomore point guard, Tremont Waters all coming to play at LSU, expect LSU to surprise many people in the 2018 college basketball season.
Naz Reid marks the highest recruit that LSU has pulled in since Ben Simmons. Reid, standing at six foot nine inches, brings a physical presence that is unmatched when compared to other star recruits. Reid is a versatile player who can use his body to strength. Naz Reid is able to use his six nine frame to impose his will on unsuspecting victims. Along with his uncanny ability to score near the rim, the 12 ranked recruit also has a polished jump shot. While Reid’s jump shot will no doubt be his secondary tool, it adds another layer to his offensive game that will make his even more difficult to stop.
Tremont Waters was once considered to be too small. Waters, from New Haven Ct., stands at just five foot eleven inches and weighs only 167 pounds. In his 1st season on campus, the point guard quieted all of his haters scoring 15.9 points per game and dishing out 6 dimes per contest. Because of his success last season, Waters will be forced to shoulder the much more of the load this season.
LSU’s last final four came in the 2005-2006 season. With many capable players returning and a historic recruiting class coming to Baton Rouge, it’s possible that Cinderella’s slipper could fit the paw of these LSU Tigers.
