BREAKING: LSU lands Mississippi State transfer forward Derek Fountain
Mississippi State transfer forward Derek Fountain committed to LSU on Thursday, he announced on Instagram with a simple, “Baton Rouge, let’s do it.” The 6-9, 220-pound forward will have three years of eligibility remaining. Matt McMahon announced his signing shortly after his announcement.
“We are thrilled to welcome Derek Fountain to Baton Rouge,” McMahon said in a release. “We have been familiar with Derek for a long time and he fits the culture we are building at LSU. We love his versatility at 6-9 with his ability to shoot the 3, rebound, and defend multiple positions. We are excited about his opportunity to make an impact at LSU and can’t wait for his arrival on campus this summer.”
In 2021-22, he averaged 1.8 points and 1.8 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs. He made three starts in his 25 appearances as he shot 34.1 percent from the floor.
That came after a freshman season that saw Derek Fountain post 5.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.5 blocks and 0.5 steals per game. Fountain started 10 of 19 games played. His season-high of 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting while adding seven rebounds came against LSU on Feb. 10, 2021.
Fountain, a Holly Springs, Miss. native, averaged 23 points and 13 rebounds as a senior in high school. He was a “Dandy Dozen” selection by the Jackson Clarion Ledger, a two-time All-State selection and his district’s Most Valuable Player. He signed with the Bulldogs over Fresno State, Oklahoma, Temple and others.
Derek Fountain part of Matt McMahon’s rebuilding efforts at LSU
Fountain is a part of a flurry of offseason activity for new LSU head coach Matt McMahon. With Fountain on board, LSU has five scholarships left to fill.
LSU point guard Justice Williams and Mwani Wilkinson are the current LSU players who have committed to playing for McMahon in Baton Rouge next season. Point guard Adam Miller and forward Efton Reid continue to evaluate their options.
LSU added four other transfers in Northwestern State big man Kendal Coleman and NC State guard Cam Hayes along with Murray State backcourt teammates Justice Hill and Trae Hannibal. LSU also brought in former Murray State signee Corneilous Williams, a big man out of North Carolina, who the school announced as an official signee earlier this month.
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