The 2026-27 LSU men’s basketball team will be very different that fans are used to, but it’s also built to win right away.
Five different countries will be represented, and all the international players have professional experience. There will be some significant eligibility hurdles for players to clear.
It will also be an older team; most of the players are 21 and over. Here’s a look at the nine players Wade has brought in so far.
Abdi Bashir, F
- Measurables: 6-7, 175 pounds
- Age: 22
- From: Omaha, Nebraska
A transfer from Kansas State, where he averaged 13 points per contest last season in 18 games. Missed time with a foot injury that required surgery.
Spent his first two seasons at Monmouth. Averaged 20 points a game during his sophomore season. Bashar led the nation in three-pointers made. Made 44% of 3-pointers last season and is a career 40% point shooter during his three seasons in college.
Brice Dessert, C
- Measurables: 6-11, 247 pounds
- Age: 23
- From: France
Dessert played in Turkey this past season for Andalou Efes. He averaged nearly 9 points a game and shot 81% from the field.
Dessert has played five seasons of professional basketball, and in 114 games, he shot 72% from the field and averaged seven points per game.
North Carolina, Texas, Kansas, and Arizona also showed interest Dessert.
Mo Dioubate, F
- Measurables: 6-7, 220 pounds
- Age: 23
- From: Queens, New York
Transfer from Kentucky. Dioubate has three seasons of SEC experience. His first two years in college were at Alabama. This past season, he averaged a career-high 9 points per game.
Dioubate was the first announced commitment to the Will Wade reboot at LSU.
He’s known as a glue guy, plays with a high motor, and does a lot of the dirty work. Diobate can run the floor, is known for getting offensive putbacks, and can guard multiple positions.
RJ Luis, SG/F
- Measurables: 6-7, 215 pounds
- Age: 23
- From: Miami, Florida
Luis signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz last year and was traded to the Boston Celtics.
Luis played three years of college basketball, starting at Massachusetts, where he averaged 11.5 points per game. He spent his finals two seasons at St. John’s, and during the 2024-'25 season he was named Big East player of the year, averaging 18 points and seven rebounds a game.
If eligible to play, and that’s a big if, he immediately becomes one of the top players and scorers in the SEC.
According to a scouting report on NBA.com, Luis’ frame, athleticism and skill set are all NBA caliber. He shot 34% from 3-point territory in his last college season and can attack the rim.
Saliou Niang, F
- Measurables: 6-8, 190 pounds
- Age: 22
- From: Senegal
Niang was drafted by the Cavaliers with the 58th overall pick in 2025, but ended up signing with Virtus Bologna in Italy. In 27 games this past season, Niang averaged 9 points and 5 rebounds a game. He made 37% of his 3-pointers.
NBA draft scout Ersin Demir says Niang will be one of the best defenders in college basketball. Demir says Niang has a well-rounded game and a lot of physical tools.
Austin Nunez, G
- Measurables: 6-2, 170 pounds
- Age: 23
- From: San Antonio, Texas
Nunez is a transfer from UTSA who averaged nearly 10 points a game last season for the Roadrunners. Nunez also spent two seasons at Arizona State and one season at Ole Miss.
Another experienced player who has appeared in 84 collegiate games. Nunez has shot 31% from three-point range during his college career and he’s excellent at the free throw line at 89%.
Michael Ruzic, F/C
- Measurables: 7-0, 220 pounds
- Age: 10
- From: Croatia
Ruzic, from Croatia, has played three seasons of professional basketball overseas. He played for Joventut Badalona in Spain and averaged 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.
According to his 2025 NBA draft profile, Ruzic has a smooth jumper and can also cut to the rim. Uses his height to finish at the rim with ease and is also a shot-blocker.
Marcio Santos, C
- Measurables: 6-8, 250 pounds
- Age: 23
- From: Brazil
Santos averaged nearly seven points and two rebounds a game last season for a team in Israel.
He’s a physical player who can score inside and outside. Has the ability to play with his back to the basket. Does not have great foot speed and is not a great rebounder despite his size.
Divine Ugochukwu, G
Measurables: 6-3, 195 pounds
- Age: 20
- From: Sugar Land, Texas
Ugochukwu is a transfer from Michigan State who started his college career at Miami. He played one season for the Hurricanes and one game for the Spartans, averaging 5 points a game at both schools.
Ugochukwu is an athletic guard who is fast. Not a great free-throw shooter, just 55%. But last season, he was a 51% shooter from the field and 44% from three-point land.
He has a long wing-span, which helped him average a steal a game during his freshman season at Miami.
