Midterms are approaching for LSU students, and the first tip-off of the season is also on the horizon for the men’s basketball team.
Entering his fourth season with the Tigers, head coach Matt McMahon said he’s trying to reach equilibrium with his approach as a coach to return LSU back to the top in men’s basketball, and that involves the transfer portal.
“I think there’s still a hybrid model out there that you want to have,” McMahon said in a preseason press conference. “I’m biased, really. Player development’s my favorite part of coaching, but I think there was obviously the need for us to go out in the portal and get older and more experience. I think I touched on that with the average age of our team this year being over 22 years old, so I thought that was really important for us.”
With the emphasis McMahon has put on transfers in hopes to bring this team back to the top, here are the top three players who could bring LSU back to top-tier basketball program status.
Pablo Tamba
Pablo Tamba is a graduate transfer forward from UC Davis. Tamba has experience playing with the Spain U20 National Team in 2021 and 2022, and he has earned playing time at three different universities prior to LSU.
In the 2024-25 season, Tamba started all 32 games at UC Davis, averaging 11.3 points per game. His best game was against Cal Poly where he scored 25 points, but it was his defense that was his strong point and ultimately what brought him to the bayou.
During his senior season, he boasted 119 defensive rebounds, 24 blocks and 37 steals.
During the offseason, Tamba underwent shoulder surgery, but McMahon said he’s handling it great so far.
“[Tamba] missed the summer from a contact standpoint, recovering from a shoulder surgery in the offseason,” McMahon said. “[He] has been fully cleared since mid August and is doing extremely well.”
The experience Tamba brings to the Tigers’ defense will be a good showing of his leadership on and off the court, and the addition will be significant going into the 2025-26 season.
Dedan Thomas Jr.
Dedan Thomas Jr. is a junior transfer from University of Nevada Las Vegas, and he is expected to contribute from an offensive standpoint for the Tigers.
Thomas is expected to be a starter for LSU, and will be a pivotal member of the team for the 2025-2026 season. He averaged 15.6 points per game, but his strong suit as a player is creating space and open looks for teammates.
The addition of Thomas will allow the group to gel better together and have someone available for offensive production when it’s needed. McMahon said that Thomas is one of the biggest portal victories for the purple and gold.
“Everything starts with that ‘quarterback’ position, and for us it’s the point guard,” McMahon said. “We have an elite one in DJ Thomas: incredible court vision, very unselfish and willing passer, has proven he can score at the highest level as well.”
It seems McMahon and staff have been impressed by Thomas so far, and he is expected to lead the team on the court for the 2025-26 season. His offensive production combined with Tamba’s defensive production could help lead the Tigers back to the top of the SEC.
Michael Nwoko
Michael Nwoko is another junior transfer, and he is coming from SEC foe Mississippi State. He saw the court in each game State played in 2024-25, and he is one of the most unexpected growth pieces for LSU.
In his sophomore season at State, he only averaged 6.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, but in his time as a Tiger, he has already improved enough to be a preseason standout for McMahon.
Nwoko is 6-foot-10 and 261 pounds, and that is a big part of his game as he has the physical advantages other guys might lack. McMahon also said he has the tools to be a force on the court and is learning how to use them as he grows within the LSU program.
McMahon says he loves to develop players, so bringing in Nwoko and helping him improve might lead to one of the best breakout seasons a player has had for the Tigers.
“He’s more skilled than I expected, quite frankly,” McMahon said. “He finishes well around the basket, finishes with either hand. He’s been a great rim threat as a ball screen and roll player… He really can be as good as he wants to be because of his physical tools.”
McMahon also says that he uses his head while he’s on the court, supporting the team with a more logical perspective. He processes and sees things quickly, so with the abilities he comes in with and McMahon’s dedication to developing players, Nwoko could bring more to the table than anyone previously thought.
McMahon and staff have worked overtime to turn the men’s basketball team back around to the previous standard it was held to, and these three additions might just bring them back.
With Tamba’s defense working with Thomas’ offense, and the intelligence Nwoko is bringing to the game, this team might have pulled it all together for a stellar season.
The first game of the regular season is on Nov. 5 against Tarleton State at 7 p.m. in the PMAC.
