With its season not yet over, the LSU men’s tennis team is already looking forward to next year.
The Tigers added two highly-rated high school athletes to next year’s roster in Louisiana’s Danny Bryan and Georgia’s Colt Gaston.
Bryan, a New Orleans native, earned four Louisiana state championships since age 12.
He is the No. 7-ranked singles player in the United States Tennis Association’s Boys 16 rankings as well as the No. 9 doubles player.
“Danny is a tremendous tennis player, and he will definitely be an asset for this team in the future,” said coach Jeff Brown. “He’s been playing in tournaments since he was five-years-old, and he is equally talented in both singles and doubles play.”
As a member of Brother Martin High School’s tennis team, Bryan earned back-to-back Louisiana 5A high school championships.
He has been ranked in the top 10 in the nation in singles play in the last six years.
“He’s the best player in the state of Louisiana,” Brown said. “We’re glad to have him as a part of our program for the next four seasons.”
The Tigers also added two-sport star Gaston from Rome, Ga.
He has been ranked No. 1 in singles play in Georgia since age 12 and No. 12 in the nation since age 16.
In high school, Gaston earned four state doubles championships and currently is ranked No. 5 in doubles play. He won championships for Southern Regionals in both singles and doubles play and has participated on the Davis Cup team since age 12.
“Colt is just a tremendous athlete with a feel for the game,” Brown said. “He has great hands and very competitive instincts.”
Gaston also was a heavily recruited basketball player. The 6-foot-5 senior averaged 17 points per contest and shot 56 percent from 3-point range in the only year he played.
“We’re extremely glad that he chose to play for us over Georgia and the three or four schools that were recruiting him to play basketball,” Brown said. “His addition to next year’s team will definitely be an added bonus for years to come.”