CBB insider shares latest on 3 players’ status with LSU as 2026-27 season nears
By Andrew Olson
Published:
The 2026-27 college basketball season is here as exhibition games are being played and the initial AP Top 25 is out. Will Wade’s LSU Tigers have already played 2 exhibition games with 1 more on the schedule before beginning the regular season.
Throughout the offseason, there have been questions about Wade’s roster. LSU turned heads around the college basketball world as the team website featured an alarmingly small number of players on the roster during the summer months. Wade’s strategy of signing many international players, and other former college players seeking additional eligibility, has meant having to wait for NCAA clearance.
Matt Norlander of CBS Sports shared some LSU updates on Tuesday. Per Norlander, RJ Luis will not be a member of the 2026-27 Tigers. Wade, though, will likely have Salou Niang and Brice Dessert available.
Lots of LSU news to share. First: RJ Luis will NOT be cleared to play by the SEC and LSU has given up its fight for him to be eligible, sources told @CBSSports. Luis would be in violation of the SEC’s rule that prevents players returning to college after signing a pro contract.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) October 20, 2026
No. 2: Salou Niang has been cleared to play for LSU, sources told CBS Sports. NCAA cleared him Tuesday. Niang, the 58th pick in the ’25 Draft, was cleared because the NCAA’s policy about not allowing former pros to return to CBB did not pre-date Niang’s decision to attend LSU.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) October 20, 2026
Sources also tell CBS Sports that LSU incoming center Brice Dessert, a 7-footer from France, will soon be officially cleared to play for Will Wade’s program. "There’s no independent SEC basis to deny him. He doesn’t run afoul of any SEC rules," one source said.
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) October 20, 2026
LSU is back in action on Saturday for an exhibition game against Florida State. The Tigers open the 2026-27 regular season on Nov. 3.
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Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
