Two months into his “dream job,” reality has quickly caught up with new LSU men’s basketball coach Johnny Jones.
Losing 7-foot center and leading scorer Justin Hamilton to the NBA Draft, along with two-year starter Ralston Turner to North Carolina State, Jones didn’t mince words in Tuesday’s Southeastern Conference summer teleconference about the adversities his team will face next season.
“We’re definitely looking forward to a challenging year, with only five scholarship players returning,” Jones said.
Coupled with guard John Isaac’s failure to meet NCAA academic eligibility and assistant coach Shawn Forrest’s abrupt resignation over speculation of resumé discrepancies, Jones’ tenure has been a rocky one, even before he holds his first official practice.
After inking three junior college transfers late in the signing period, Jones said he hopes to build a foundation around rising sophomores Anthony Hickey and Johnny O’Bryant III. He lauded Hickey as a true point guard, something Jones said is invaluable when trying to build a team.
“The great thing for both of them is that they played quality minutes last year,” Jones said. “They are two really good players to try to build your team around.”
Jones said he expects rising junior Andre Stringer to have much more of an impact in stretching the opponent’s defense, attributing it to the style of play the team will employ.
Howard College transfer and Thibodaux native Shavon Coleman will also challenge for playing time along with incoming freshman Shane Hammink, both 6-foot-6 guards who could make an impact on the perimeter.
New NCAA practice rules have allowed incoming freshman and former John Curtis standout Malik Morgan to work with his new teammates, something Jones said is crucial to his development.
With Hamilton gone and the 6-foot-9 O’Bryant a natural power forward, the Tigers lack size and a true center, something Jones said is imperative to address.
“[We’re] hoping that we could hopefully beef up inside,” Jones said. “We have to make sure – especially playing in this league – we’re bigger somewhat in size.”
Jones added that the Tigers hope to lure a couple late signees to hopefully address the size problems inside before returning to campus in August.
With Hickey and O’Bryant presumably the nucleus of an inexperienced bunch, Jones hopes the two sophomores will be able to handle the pressure night in and night out.
“There are no off nights in this league,” Jones said. “They will be counted on heavily.”
Contact Chandler Romes at [email protected].