Aaron Epps waited his turn.
Two years in a front court stacked with NBA talent necessitated that waiting period.
Backing up first-round pick Jarell Martin and the NBA’s first-overall pick Ben Simmons in his first two seasons, LSU coach Johnny Jones could only muster eight minutes per game for Epps.
“Last year [it] was tough to get him a lot of minutes because the guy he was playing behind happened to be the number one player taken in the draft,” Jones said. “There [were] a lot of minutes taken from him in that area.”
Now, the junior forward’s patience is paying off. He’s expected to receive heavy minutes as the Tigers’ first big man off the bench.
“His confidence is high now because he knows that there are minutes available to him,” Jones said. “You will see the versatility that Aaron Epps will bring to this team.”
Epps’ frame is a near carbon copy of his favorite NBA player, Kevin Durant. Rising a staggering 6-foot-10 off the hardwood and weighing in at 220 pounds, Epps looks like a Southeastern Conference basketball player.
With the athleticism of a state runner-up in the high jump, Epps is a potentially dangerous weapon for the Tigers as a high percentage shooter from the field who can run the floor with the ability of a guard and finish at the rim.
Epps said he’s comfortable playing both forward positions, but he’s best as a pick-and-pop stretch forward.
After draining eight of 28 threes in two years, Epps said his three-point shot will be much improved this season.
“I’m a lot better,” Epps said. “A lot more confident too. Freshman year I was kind of iffy, but this year I know I can make that shot.”
Jones said the spark Epps provided off the bench when LSU took down No. 9 Kentucky in January showcases the impact he can make. With Simmons forced to the bench early with two fouls, Epps scored eight points, knocking down both of his attempts from behind the arc in nine minutes of relief.
“Ben Simmons went to the bench with 15 minutes to go in the first half, and Epps really kind of changed the game,” Jones said. “He picked and popped the guards coming off, hit two big threes for us.”
For Jones, Epps’ game grew during the offseason and has earned him an increased role, but he must continue improving on defense if those minutes are to stick.
Epps said he put on six pounds of muscle in the offseason, which should help him bang with bigger players in the post.
“Very capable shooter from outside and certainly can finish at the rim on the break,” Jones said. “One of the areas he’ll continue to improve and get better is on the defensive side of the basketball.”
Withholding expectations for himself, Epps said he doesn’t know his exact role when the Tigers open up their season against Reinhardt on Nov. 7. He’s excited for whatever Jones has in store for him.
“I just want to come in and play hard, work hard every day,” Epps said. “Whatever coach asks me to do.”