Roster Update: Matt McMahon, LSU's Transfer Portal Haul

Matt McMahon and the LSU Tigers put the final touches on their 2023-24 roster on Monday after adding George Washington center Hunter Dean via the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Dean became the fifth addition for this program through the portal as the Tigers now have their core set.

Of the five players brought in this offseason, four of them are Louisiana natives. Dean, along with Vanderbilt’s Jordan Wright, Tulane’s Jalen Cook and Santa Clara’s Carlos Stewart, all are natives of the state.

It’s been a productive offseason for McMahon as he works his way through another rebuild in Baton Rouge, but the fresh faces certainly provide experience and grit to this roster. In the 2022-23 season, the Tigers struggled from a talent perspective. McMahon’s group just didn’t have the players to compete in the SEC.

Fast forward to the current situation and LSU brings in players with SEC experience and production from their previous stops.

A dive into McMahon’s 2023 offseason haul:

Jordan Wright - Vanderbilt

The Baton Rouge native averaged 10.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for Vanderbilt last season, leading the Commodores to a big-time turnaround under Head Coach Jerry Stackhouse.

Wright has been surgical during his college career. A player who can score in the blink of an eye, he fills an immediate need for the Tigers where he will spend his final year of eligibility.

Jalen Cook - Tulane

LSU also added two-time First Team All-AAC guard Jalen Cook, giving the Tigers a shot-making facilitator for the 2023 season. The former Tulane guard has been spectacular during his time with the Green Wave, looking to bring his playmaking ability back to Baton Rouge after a stint with the Tigers to begin his college career.

Cook is fresh off of a dominant year after averaging 19.8 points and 4.9 assists for the Green Wave. One of the top guards in the portal, McMahon makes a huge splash in securing Cook, who received interest from over 40 schools once entering the portal.

Will Baker - Nevada

Baker spent three seasons at Nevada following a stint with Texas during his freshman campaign. The 7-foot, 245-pound post player was a third-team all-conference honoree this season on his way to a career year. A former four-star recruit, his game is coming together rather quickly.

Baker averaged career highs in points (13.6) and rebounds (5.2) this year while adding 26 assists, 18 steals and nine blocks on 56% from the field and 35.5 percent on threes. LSU had been in search of bigs, and after an official visit to Baton Rouge in April, it sealed the deal for the high-priority target.

Carlos Stewart - Santa Clara

The Baton Rouge native just finished his second season with the Broncos where he started in 33 games this year. Stewart averaged 15.2 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game for his squad on his way to a career year.

The shifty 6-foot-1 guard has been efficient during his time out West, but as he returns home to suit up for the purple and gold, it’ll be a homecoming. Stewart attended Dunham School in Baton Rouge with new Tiger Jordan Wright as the two team up once again in different colors.

Hunter Dean - George Washington

The 6-foot-10 center gives the Tigers a productive big man to handle business down low in the post, an area this program struggled in a year ago. Dean spent his freshman campaign at Southern Miss before transferring to George Washington for his last three years. Now heading to Baton Rouge, the Louisiana native comes to LSU as a graduate transfer.

In the 2022-23 season, Dean averaged 8.7 points and 6.1 rebounds a night on an efficient 64.1% from the field. A true big, Dean gives the Tigers some stability moving forward inside.

A career season last year, Dean nearly doubled his production in points while upping his rebounds as well. With the Tigers looking to add experience to their roster, Dean fits what McMahon is building like a glove.

Final Thoughts

LSU enters a year where the situation can only get better. After essentially hitting rock bottom last season, going 2-16 in SEC play, this program can only go up from here. With McMahon at the helm, a savvy coach who knows how to make it happen, the Tigers have the chance to rebound in a big way this winter.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. LSU knew what they were getting themselves into heading into last season, but as year two of the McMahon era nears, the talent jump is significant for this program as they look to take strides in the right direction.

With Jordan Wright and Jalen Cook handling business in the backcourt, LSU has their fair share of firepower and tenacity to compete in the SEC moving forward.