LSU reportedly pursuing ex-G League talent, tapping into the controversial trend of seasoned pros entering college hoops amid NIL opportunities.
The LSU Tigers certainly haven't shied away from making people upset if it makes them better, so it makes sense that they could be getting into one of the more controversial trends in college basketball.
College Basketball Content, a page for college basketball news, reported that former NBA G League player Kyree Walker says that the Tigers, UCLA Bruins, Missouri Tigers, BYU Cougars, Texas A&M Aggies and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have all been in "heavy contact" with him for next season. The player reposted this news himself, confirming it.
Walker, 25, was a four-star recruit out of high school but opted not to play college basketball and instead opted to prepare to go pro immediately. He has bounced around a few different leagues across Canada, Greece, Mongolia and the United States.
He was once a very prominent name, but he took a risk and it didn't pan out. He'll have one year of eligibility to try and make a name for himself once again.
While he still has college eligibility, this growing trend of older players who couldn't make it to the NBA coming back and playing in college because of NIL money is frowned upon. It wouldn't be the first time that LSU has signed a pro, though.
Owen Foxwell, an Australian pro guard, had originally committed to play for the Tigers before the transition from Matt McMahon to Will Wade. Ron Zipper is an Israeli pro who played on the team last year.
The interest in Walker from LSU seems real, but there is also a lot of competition. The forward is set to start making visits next week. Baton Rouge could be on that list.