LSU's Jalen Cook ranked as one of Transfer Portal's top PG
One of the most notable pieces of offseason news for the LSU basketball program was the addition of Tulane transfer Jalen Cook.
Now, with the second NCAA Transfer Portal window open, Cook is ranked by On3 as the No. 3 point guard on the 2023 Transfer Portal Rankings.
Cook, a Walker High (La.) graduate who began his career at LSU before transferring to Tulane, returns to Baton Rouge after emerging as one of the top point guards in college basketball.
In his two seasons at Tulane, Cook’s scoring exploded, averaging 18 points per game in 2022 before averaging 20 points per game in 2023 – which came on 45-percent shooting from the field. In addition, Cook averaged 4.9 assists and 1.8 steals per game this past season en route to a second consecutive year on the All-AAC first team.
Cook was rated as the No. 13 player in the transfer portal by On3, making him one of the more highly touted players on the move. His list of interested schools reflected that, as Cook heard from several schools in Texas and throughout the SEC looking to get his services. It’s a massive win for McMahon and his staff heading into year two.
LSU fills a key need with the addition of Cook
The point guard position was a need for the Tigers this offseason, and McMahon’s push to get Cook to return to LSU should prove to be key when it comes to turning over the room ahead of the 2023-24 season.
“LSU was in need of a point guard after a 2022-23 season where creation was one of the biggest issues for the Tigers in year one under McMahon,” said The Bengal Tiger’s Matthew Brune. “Justice Hill and Justice Williams both entered the transfer portal, leaving the staff without any true point guards on the team; only off guards like Adam Miller, Cam Hayes and Trae Hannibal. Cook solves that problem, not only with his ability to create for others, but also finding ways to get his own shot off.
“Now, (Cook) will have to help get everything in order for the Tigers. He’ll be expected to be the leading scorer and assist man and show that he can elevate this team in the SEC.”
Tigers have four Transfer Portal additions (so far)
McMahon and his staff has added four players from the NCAA Transfer Portal, and more additions could still come.
In addition to Cook, LSU brought home two more Baton Rouge natives in former Dunham teammates Jordan Wright from Vanderbilt and Carlos Stewart from Santa Clara. LSU also added a 7-footer in Nevada transfer Will Baker, who began his college career at Texas.
