The LSU basketball team is trying to put together a solid roster ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. The Tigers lost the commitment of an international player, amidst a battle over eligibility.
“Marcio Santos, who had committed to LSU in May but hadn’t been cleared by the NCAA, has officially signed a two-year deal in Spain and will instead head back to the EuroLeague,” ESPN's Jeff Borzello posted to X, formerly Twitter.
LSU basketball is reuniting with head coach Will Wade. Wade had previously coached the Tigers before a scandal over recruiting violations had forced him out in 2022. He is now back for a second tenure with LSU.
Wade has not been afraid this offseason to recruit players facing eligibility concerns.
“I'm not hiding from this,” Wade said recently, per ESPN. “What we're doing is unconventional. I understand that. But 20 years ago, Airbnb was unconventional. Everybody stayed in a hotel. Fifteen years ago, you rode in a taxi everywhere. Now you take Uber. Just because it's unconventional doesn't mean it's not going to work.
Article Continues Below“It may not work. If it doesn't, write about what an idiot I am. I understand that.”
Santos had chosen to attend LSU after also getting interest from Kentucky this offseason. He is a six-foot-nine big man, who was expected to get minutes in the LSU frontcourt this upcoming season.
After Wade left LSU in 2022, he went on to coach at McNeese State and North Carolina State. He led both of those respective programs to the NCAA Tournament. He now hopes to do that once again with the Tigers.
LSU basketball kicks off their season against New Orleans on November 3.