The Biggest Question for LSU Men’s Basketball: Who Is on the Team?

LSU men's basketball head coach Will Wade began his Wednesday press conference with a joke, stating that the team has only four players on its roster. He then revealed that the team has been practicing with 15 players in the fall, but has not disclosed the full roster. Wade only listed the four players on the roster - Austin Nunez, Abdi Bashir Jr., Mouhamed Dioubate, and Divine Ugochukwu - during the press conference.

FOS requested a full roster, which LSU athletics declined to provide. The team's website still lists only the four players. Wade mentioned that he has declined to release the roster due to reasons he did not elaborate on. He stated that all players are signed and enrolled at LSU, and that the team is still working on eligibility for three or four players.

The roster may not be finalized by the time the Tigers face McNeese on October 8th, but will be settled by the season start on November 3rd. Wade acknowledges frustration over the secrecy and stated that the team always protects its players. He also discussed other players practicing with the team, including former UCLA Bruins Donovan Dent and Skyy Clark, who won an injunction to play an extra year, and international players Michael Ruzic, Saliou Niang, and Brice Dessert.

Wade confirmed Brazilian player Marcio Santos was no longer on the team. Players who Wade did not mention but are reportedly on the roster include Gilad Levy (Israel), Luke Stansbury, and incoming freshman Jordan Bender. Former St. John's standout RJ Luis Jr. was also not named by Wade, citing concerns about SEC rules and potential consequences.

Wade acknowledged his roster construction and secrecy as unconventional, comparing it to the rise of Airbnb and Uber, and expressed willingness to comply with SEC rules regarding players from NBA or G League teams.