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New Official 2015, 2016 and 2017 LSU Basketball Recruiting thread

Tradition Never Graduates
7 LSU Tigers Played in the NBA in 2013-2014
3 of the 50 Greatest NBA Players
4 Final Fours
11 Conference Titles
12 SEC Players of the Year
20 NCAA Tournament Appearances

2015

Committed
Ben Simmons SF 6'9 215 (Melbourne,AUS Montverde Academy)

Widely considered the number one player in America for the class of 2015. He is already considered a lock as a Top-5 pick in the 2016 NBA draft. Simmons has been committed to the Tigers for a while now and for good reason, he is related to current LSU assistant David Patrick. But when you listen to Simmons you know he sees more in LSU than most of our fans do. He has also begun to recruit very hard for LSU out on the basketball circuit and watch for him to be a leader day one.

Why all the hype? Well at 6'8-6'9 and maybe a 6'10-6'11 wingspan, he can guard and play 3 positions. I will rephrase, there are a lot of guys that can guard and score at multiple positions, Simmons can take over offensively and lockdown 3 positions. He can battle down low and easily get a double-double every game at PF, or play a point forward role and lead the team offensively. There is just something about lefties, in that they all seem to be able to shoot, and Simmons is no different. At 6'9, he can pull big men away from the basket, and either take them off the dribble, or consistently knock down outside shots. He plays with a fluidity and grace most NBA players don't have, and what sets him apart further is his basketball IQ and he is a willing and unselfish passer. He will be a great Tiger, and I refrain from making comparisons to other players, because I say let Ben Simmons be Ben Simmons, no one else. Multiple NBA scouts, and college coaches have said he could be playing and contributing in the NBA right now.
Ben Simmons

Offered
Top Targets
Brandon Sampson SG 6'4 180 (Baton Rouge, LA Madison Prep)

In my honest opinion should be the number one priority after Ben Simmons. This guy is a flat out scorer. I have seen him in person and can honestly say for a high school, very athletic guard, he is very polished. Not many guys can be equally as good as shooters off the dribble as they are off the catch, but he is one of the few. He does an excellent job squaring his feet then rotating his body and upper body to square up to the goal before release. He was a teammate of Jarell Martin right here in Baton Rouge. Very athletic and has great bounce and his His ball-handling will only get better. Really hope he commits sooner than later to us. Would be a great addition on the outside, as wing that is really good in transition, but can also spot shoot. When in 2015-2016 we let our big men which could be 5-6 deep, work down low.
Brandon Sampson

Alex Owens PF 6’8 230 (Orlando, FL, Oak Ridge)

A true post player, Owens will work primarily out of the low post. He does not have jaw-dropping athleticism as some top post guys, but has a good quick first step, and great timing. Couple his timing with his extremely long arms, makes Owens a very good shot blocker as well as rebounder. He also has a good motor and is a good offensive rebounder. While he is not as explosive as a Jordan Mickey, he is very strong and physically will be able to handle the strength or SEC big men day one. After watching his highlight tapes, there is one uncanny thing that he does, why I love his post game. On a basketball court if you draw straight line down the court from rim to rim, the best post players will not veer to far from this line throughout a game. Owens doesn't he runs rim to rim, gains position, and just plays. Hustles on defense, and will not be a guy that will average 20 ppg, but will have a stat line something like 10 ppg, 8 rbg, 5 blocks, 3 steals and will help your team win. And he takes charges!!!! Which most Top-HS must gets will not do. And yes the reason I chose this picture he is teammates of Ben Simmons, he is on the far right.
Alex Owens

Malik Newman PG 6’3 180 (Jackson, MS, Callaway)

Newman is a guy that has held an SEC offer since he was reportedly in the 6th grade, when then State coach Rick Stansbury told him he could commit right then at an AAU tournament. Newman has unbelievable range and can flat out shoot the ball. He may be the best pure shooter in the 2015 and certainly the best true PG. Not to take away from his athleticism, Newman has great body control and can consistently finish around larger bodies and can/will play above the rim. He has a very fluid and quick shot, and will let it go at any time. For a high school rising senior he has the jumpshot of a pro, and one thing that he is very good at it, is taking smaller defenders and posting up in the mid post. Either just shooting over the top or bullying his way into an easier shot. He has excellent ball handling skills and will make any team a contender. LSU may not have a chance but having Simmons cant help. LSU also has a longstanding relationship with the Jackson Tigers, as JOB3, Andre Stringer, and Jalen Courtney were all Tiger lifers.
Malik Newman

Noah Dickerson PF 6'8 240 (Atlanta, GA, Montverde Academy)

A guy that has flown up the LSU's big board, with a big help going to Ben Simmons, his friend and high school teammate. Dickerson is a strong, big bodied PF, that plays above the rim. Some have compared him to JOB3, which isn't a bad comparison just even in high school, O'Bryant was more skilled, had more developed post moves, and was a little bit bigger. But they both play the same way, not the new jumping bean, skinny 6'10-6'11 PFs,but the older, work the block type of guy. Dickerson also has a nice jumpshot, and does a very good job of keeping the ball high. Would love to see him in an LSU uniform, and would be a great addition.
Noah Dickerson

Chad Lott PG/SG 6’3 175 (Shreveport, LA, Byrd)

Guy that a lot of people around the state of LA are really high on and for good measure. He is a talented scorer and fairly athletic. He could play the point or an off guard in college, and is a combo guard in every sense. I am not from LA, and in basketball do not think it is as important as football to keep certain guys instate. I do not think Lott is a must get, but would be a great addition to the class. He can score in a variety of ways but on the next level, I see him as a high major role player for a year or two.
Chad Lott

This post was edited on 8/4/14 at 2:59 pm