LSU men’s basketball just got a little deeper - and a little more international - with the early arrival of four-star forward Marcus Vaughns. The 6-foot-8 wing out of Melbourne, Australia, is enrolling early from the 2026 recruiting class and will join the Tigers for the spring semester, head coach Matt McMahon confirmed Wednesday.
Make no mistake: Vaughns won’t suit up for LSU this season. But his presence on campus is a big win for the program, both in the short term and the long run.
“He’s getting a five-month head start,” McMahon said. “He’ll be part of our scout team, get one-on-one time in the gym - it’s a great opportunity for him.”
Vaughns touched down in Baton Rouge on Tuesday and is currently undergoing routine medical evaluations. The plan is for him to begin practicing with the team next week, giving him a valuable runway to adjust to the college game before he’s eligible to compete.
At 215 pounds, Vaughns already brings a strong physical profile for a wing, but getting in the weight room with LSU strength coach Mike Chatman is expected to be a key part of his early development. McMahon emphasized the importance of that physical transition, especially as Vaughns gets acclimated to the pace and physicality of SEC basketball.
“He’s been at the Centre of Excellence in Australia, so he’s experienced being away from home,” McMahon said. “But still, this semester gives him a real advantage in making that transition to college life and college basketball. It’s all positive.”
Vaughns committed to LSU back on May 22 and signed with the Tigers during the early signing period on November 12. He’s currently ranked No. 187 overall and the No. 55 small forward in the 2026 class, per the 247Sports Composite.
He’s also not the only Aussie on the roster. Senior guard Max Mackinnon, from Brisbane, shares a similar path - both played in the same prep program Down Under before heading to the States. That connection should help Vaughns settle in quickly, both on and off the court.
And there’s more Australian influence on the bench. Associate head coach David Patrick has been an assistant coach for the Australian National Team since 2019 and has long-standing ties to the country’s basketball scene. That pipeline continues to pay dividends for LSU.
Vaughns is one of three wings in LSU’s 2026 class, joining Kevin Thomas (ranked No. 71) and Herly Brutus (No. 88). According to ESPN, the Tigers’ class currently ranks 20th in the nation - a strong sign that McMahon and his staff are building something sustainable in Baton Rouge.
As for the current squad, LSU is off to a 12-1 start and will open SEC play this Saturday at Texas A&M (10-3). While Vaughns won’t be in uniform, his presence around the program is already setting the stage for what’s to come.