Former LSU Basketball Guard, Prized Four-Star Prospect Reveals Transfer Destination

Matt McMahon and Co. continue retooling the roster, former Tiger finds new home in the portal.

Mar 9, 2024; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers forward Tyrell Ward (15) brings the ball up court against Missouri Tigers guard Nick Honor (10) during the first half at Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Matt McMahon and the LSU Tigers have quickly become early winners this offseason after reconstructing the roster in Baton Rouge.

With a handful of additions to this point, the program has also seen multiple departures across the last few weeks to retool the roster.

Former LSU guard Tyrell Ward made the decision to step away from the program prior to Southeastern Conference last season.

Since then, he's officially entered the portal with multiple programs in pursuit of his services after handling business during the 2023-24 season.

Now, after officially entering the portal last month, Ward has found his next destination.

The former four-star guard is headed to VCU for the 2025-26 season after garnering significant interest in the NCAA Transfer Portal.

LSU transfer Tyrell Ward has committed to VCU.

The 6’6” redshirt junior wing did not suit up for the Tigers during the 2024-25 season. In 2023-24 as a sophomore Ward appeared in 31 games, averaging 9.1 points, and 2.3 rebounds per game. Also shot 41% from 3 (52/126).

The Rams… pic.twitter.com/qGRVjNJ3Rd

— PortalUpdates (@portal_updates) April 20, 2025

For the Tigers, LSU has seen multiple members of the 2024-25 roster hit the free agent market with the program retooling the roster in Baton Rouge.

The Departures: Six Tigers Enter Portal

Vyctorius Miller: Guard

Last month, the program saw Vyctorius Miller make the decision to test the market, according to On3 Sports.

Miller is coming off of a true freshman campaign where he averaged 8.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists this past season for the Tigers.

The four-star, Top-75 prospect in the 2024 Recruiting Class departs after one season in Baton Rouge with McMahon and Co. unable to retain the coveted guard.

He has since sighed with the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Mike Williams - Sophomore Guard

LSU sophomore guard Mike Williams entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after two seasons with the program in Baton Rouge.

Williams, a Top-100 prospect in the 2023 Recruiting Cycle, averaged 5.9 points per game across 57 appearances during his time with Matt McMahon's program.

During the 2024-25 season, Williams appeared in 24 games with zero starts while shooting 31.3 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point range. He averaged four points per game.

“There will be plenty of time to reflect on that,” McMahon said. “The disappointing piece is it felt like our trajectory was good, winning the nine games in the league last year to get in the top half, having a strong non-conference schedule there, going 11-2.

“Just unable to get the job done at the level required, combination of injuries, the overwhelming level of talent and quality of teams in the SEC. Just weren’t able to produce the type of results we wanted in league play.”

Williams, at the time, became the third Tiger to officially enter the NCAA Transfer Portal.

The Other Departures: Corey Chest and Daimion Collin

LSU redshirt-freshman forward Corey Chest entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after two seasons in Baton Rouge.

Chest, one of the top prospects in Louisiana coming out of high school, made 26 appearances for the Tigers this season with 19 starts.

The youngster averaged 6.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 60.7% from the field during his second season in Baton Rouge.

“It’s energy, it’s effort,” LSU head coach Matt McMahon said about Chest’s talents. “Nothing I can coach. He just has a natural feel for how to go chase rebounds and pursue the ball, and he continues to do it at a high level. One of the better instinctual rebounders I’ve been around in my time.”

After three seasons of high school ball in Louisiana, Chest went up to Missouri for his senior campaign to play for Link Academy, one of the top prep schools in the country.

Chest has since signed with the Ole Miss Rebels.

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