LSU standout opts for transfer portal amid coaching uncertainty
By Andrew Olson
Published:
With uncertainty surrounding the future of the LSU basketball program, one of the Tigers’ top players is exploring his options for the 2026-27 season.
Dedan Thomas Jr. has elected to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal. His father shared the news with college basketball insider Jon Rothstein on Wednesday.
LSU's Dedan Thomas plans to enter the transfer portal, per his father.
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 25, 2026
Averages 15.1 PPG and 6.4 APG prior to injury this season.
Thomas is no stranger to the portal. He joined LSU for the 2025-26 season after two standout seasons at UNLV, where he was named Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year in 2024 and made All-Mountain West Third Team in 2025.
This past season, Thomas played just 16 games for the Tigers. Just before SEC play, Thomas was sidelined by a left foot injury that required surgery. In those games, he averaged 15.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists over 29.5 minutes per game. He had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.0 per game.
The news about Thomas comes with reported uncertainty regarding the head coach of the Tigers for the 2026-27 season. Though Matt McMahon has not been dismissed, there are strong indications that former coach Will Wade, currently at NC State, could return to LSU.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
