LSU picked up a major recruiting jolt Sunday night when five-star combo guard King Gibson announced his commitment to the Tigers on ESPN2.
That kind of win matters on its own. What makes it stand out even more is where Gibson sits in LSU’s recruiting history. Using the 247Sports composite rankings, he checks in as the third-highest-ranked commit the program has ever landed, just behind only two other Will Wade additions who later became NBA contributors, Naz Reid and Trendon Watford.
Gibson, a 6-foot-5 guard, chose LSU over Arkansas, Louisville and Providence. For Wade and his staff, beating out John Calipari for a guard is a notable step forward, and it also gives LSU its first five-star commit since Watford in 2019.
The commitment also underscores how much has changed since Wade returned to Baton Rouge. LSU was always going to back him with more resources than before, and while the first year of roster construction came together in an unusual way, this high school class, with a full cycle behind it, is off to a strong start.
Gibson brings the kind of upside that can change the shape of a roster quickly. He could wind up as a one-and-done player and a first-round pick in the 2028 draft, but even before that, he gives LSU a chance to build real momentum around elite talent.
He showed plenty of that talent for Spire Academy in the Border League tournament on ESPN2 before making his decision, flashing the ability to finish above the rim. He’s a strong athlete, plays hard on both ends, and should be one of the more fun players in Baton Rouge over the next few years.
LSU’s class already has the look of something bigger, too. Four-star forward Ahmad Hudson is part of the group, and he’s also a real candidate to play two sports in college. The Tigers have even hosted another five-star guard, Reese Alston, which leaves plenty of room for this class to keep growing.
How far it goes will say plenty about how aggressively LSU plans to invest in the basketball program. Wade and his staff, though, may not be done yet.
The Tigers are set to take the court later this week in an exhibition against the McNeese St. Cowboys, and a strong season could give their recruiting push even more lift.
In Other News...
LSU Just Got Encouraging News At Two Crucial Positions
LSU got a welcome update on two important pieces of its roster, with coach Lane Kiffin saying tight end TreyDez Green and linebacker Whit Weeks are both expected to return at some point this season. Green, who has been working back from a knee injury suffered in September, is out of his brace and moving freely, while Weeks continues to recover from a fractured lower leg.
The Tigers have managed to keep winning with others stepping into those roles, but the eventual return of both players would still give the team a boost on each side of the ball. For now, LSU can at least feel better about the direction of two injuries that looked like they could linger much longer. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Got A Hopeful TreyDez Green Update Before SEC Play
LSU is heading into SEC play after a win over McNeese, and the conversation around the Tigers has quickly shifted from settling things down to getting ready for a tougher test against Kentucky. Lane Kiffin had plenty to say about the matchup and had praise for Wildcats coach Will Stein, while also using the week to take stock of where his own team stands after the opener.
The injury picture remains part of the backdrop, especially with quarterback Sam Leavitt dealing with a hamstring issue and the staff watching how that situation unfolds. Kiffin also offered a positive update on TreyDez Greens recovery, a development LSU will be happy to hear as it moves into conference play and continues to sort through the details of a game that figures to draw out more from the Tigers on both sides of the ball. [Read more 🡒]
LSU's Young Tigers May Have Forced Bigger SEC Roles
In a lopsided 63-14 win over McNeese, LSU got something more than an expected tune-up performance. Injuries among starters opened the door for younger players to see meaningful snaps, and several freshmen answered with the kind of production that can change the way a depth chart looks moving forward. On defense, Deuce Geralds, Zach Weeks and Jhase Thomas were among the young Tigers who made their presence felt.
Geralds stood out with a sack and a touchdown in the same game, while Corey Barber Jr. gave the offense a lift with 7 catches for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns as LSU piled up 731 total yards. Performances like those do not guarantee anything in the SEC, but they can force coaches to think differently about how quickly freshmen are ready for bigger roles when the schedule tightens. [Read more 🡒]