Put down your footballs and repent, LSU fans. Basketball phenom Ben Simmons is coming to Baton Rouge, and nobody is worthy of his talents.
Simmons signed his letter of intent today to play at LSU next season, a decision that’s been a foregone conclusion ever since Simmons verbally committed to the Tigers more than a year ago. But now the move is official, and fans can truly begin ogling over what they have for the 2015 season.
Before I go further, let me point out I recognize the risk in talking about a player and a team a year in advance. It’s actually something I despise. 
But signing Simmons changes things a little. Getting a player of his caliber is not just rare, it’s almost unprecedented for this program.
Those who have never heard of Simmons or have never seen him play should jump onto YouTube right now and search his name. The Australian small forward from Florida’s Monteverde Academy can jump out of the building, shoot with range, pass well and possess a lethal crossover.  
He’s the type of talent LSU hasn’t seen since the 2006 Final Four team, and most analysts believe he has the potential to be better. Soon, fans aren’t going to have to be asked and begged to come to games. Either they’ll be there or NBA scouts will take their seats.
Some think the football team grabbing Leonard Fournette was a big impact, but signing Simmons may be twice as important. Simmons will help the team on offense and defense, and playing a sport with only 10 guys on the floor makes one great player far more influential.
The one change in basketball in the last decade has been a move from big men to athletic guys with long wingspans and good shooting range. Simmons has all of those skills, making it easy to spread the floor and play in an offense full of movement and passing.
Coach Johnny Jones has been scratching and reaching for two years to get the Tigers to the NCAA Tournament, and Simmons could take things to another level. 
However, basketball is still a team game, and Simmons will need great teammates if LSU wants to be more than relevant. Junior guards Josh Gray and Keith Hornsby will probably stay, and if Jones can keep two of his three best post players, LSU can be special.
The first comparison one might have is when Glenn Davis came to LSU in 2004, but this is a different situation. Since the “one-and-done” rule was introduced, freshman prodigies have become the sport’s greatest resource. Simmons is the first one to choose the Tigers.  
He will almost certainly be leaving after one season, and it’s something fans will just have to get used to. NBA money is too good to turn down, and playing against the most elite players in the world beats dead week.
It’s understandable if one doesn’t want to believe in bold declarations yet. Johnny O’Bryant III was a McDonald’s All-American in high school but never seemed to put it together in college. Then again, nobody ever projected O’Bryant to be a top-5 NBA draft pick before he even enrolled at
LSU.
So get familiar with the LSU basketball team if you haven’t already, fellow students. 
The best athlete in school could be playing in the PMAC instead of Tiger Stadium next season, and watching him is an opportunity no one should miss.
Tommy Romanach is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Dallas, Texas. You can reach him on Twitter @troman_92.