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Four LSU Tigers Newcomers Who Will Define Will Wade's Return Year
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- Four LSU Tigers Newcomers Who Will Define Will Wade's Return Year
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
A lot of has been made about the LSU Tigers ' roster in Will Wade's return to the men's basketball team. It is an unconventional approach that prioritized the loopholes in adding veteran talent in modern college basketball.
There are going to be some international veterans who are in their early-to-mid twenties. Some players will have been drafted into the NBA. Some are also just going to be normal transfers from other NCAA programs.
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It's going to be a roster of players with high expectations for a first season. Here are the additions made by Wade that will likely play the biggest roles in finding success this year:
G/F Abdi Bashir Jr.
The Tigers added bigger stars, but the shooting that Bashir adds is the type of trait that wins games in March by itself. He shot 44.4% on 8.4 threes per game last season, which is just absurd efficiency. If the only thing he did on the court was shoot from beyond the arc, he would be a valuable player.
That's a good thing, because he really doesn't do much else. LSU did a good job of adding the defensive versatility and playmaking around him, so that Bashir can really just let his shooting shine.
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F RJ Luis Jr .
Luis is a major swing player because he may or may not end up able to play. He signed in the NBA and was even traded, but didn't log any games that mattered. That makes his college eligibility a grey area, even by today's standards.
If Luis does suit up in Baton Rouge, they'd be getting a forward who has already led a team to the NCAA tournament. He averaged 18.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game as a second-team All-American in his last collegiate season.
G Divine Ugochukwu
As things currently stand, Ugochukwu could be the best option to start at point guard. Austin Nunez is the other ball-handler, but he projects more as a backup. Ugochukwu has made 28 starts at this level in both the ACC and Big Ten, but this would certainly be his biggest test. He'd also be tasked with playing with some players who do a lot of things well, but playmaking isn't exactly one of them. Even though he is one of the least experienced players on the team, he'll hold a lot of responsibility.
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F Mo Dioubate
Dioubate was one of the most important players on this roster, because he will likely be the person to step in front of the opposing team's best player, regardless of position. He can guard one through five at a high level. That defensive versatility, and already having SEC experience, will come in handy at every turn this season. While Bashir's shooting will be the glue of the offense, Dioubate's effort will do the same for the defense.
