LSU Forward Mike Nwoko Enters Transfer Portal

Nwoko plans to join his fourth program in as many years after productive seasons at Miami, Mississippi State, and LSU.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:54pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented movements of a basketball player, with sharp planes of color and overlapping shapes representing the dynamic action of the sport.Nwoko's transfer from LSU adds to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Tigers' basketball program.Baton Rouge Today

LSU junior forward Mike Nwoko has announced plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, becoming the latest player to depart the Tigers' roster. Nwoko, a 6'10" 261-pound forward, has previously played at Miami and Mississippi State before spending this past season at LSU, where he averaged career highs of 13.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

Why it matters

Nwoko's decision to transfer comes amid ongoing turmoil for the LSU basketball program, which has struggled mightily since the departure of former head coach Will Wade following the 2021-22 season. The Tigers have failed to reach the NCAA Tournament in each of the past four seasons, and Nwoko is just the latest player to leave the program as it seeks to rebuild under new leadership.

The details

Nwoko, a native of Toronto, began his college career at Miami in 2023-24, where he played in 29 games and averaged 2.7 points and 2.0 rebounds per contest. He then entered the transfer portal and landed at Mississippi State for the 2024-25 season, where he averaged 6.1 points and 4.6 rebounds. This past season at LSU, Nwoko enjoyed his most productive campaign, setting career highs in points (13.4) and rebounds (5.9) despite the Tigers' 15-17 overall record and failure to reach the NCAA Tournament.

  • Nwoko entered the transfer portal on April 7, 2026.
  • He previously played at Miami in 2023-24 and Mississippi State in 2024-25 before joining LSU this past season.

The players

Mike Nwoko

A 6'10", 261-pound junior forward who has played at Miami, Mississippi State, and LSU over the past three seasons.

Will Wade

The former LSU head coach who was fired in 2022 due to recruiting violations, but is now rumored to be making a return to the program.

Matt McMahon

The current head coach of the LSU Tigers, who has failed to lead the team to the NCAA Tournament in his first four seasons.

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What they’re saying

“Nwoko instantly becomes one of the most productive forwards to enter the Portal. In two of the greatest seasons of SEC basketball in the conference's history, Nwoko recorded 10-plus points on 30 different occasions.”

— Pete Nakos, Reporter

What’s next

With Nwoko's departure, the LSU coaching staff will need to focus on rebuilding the roster and finding a way to end the program's four-year NCAA Tournament drought. The potential return of former head coach Will Wade could also have a major impact on the direction of the program going forward.

The takeaway

Nwoko's decision to enter the transfer portal is the latest blow to an LSU basketball program that has fallen on hard times in recent years. The Tigers' inability to reach the NCAA Tournament since 2022 has led to an exodus of talent, and Nwoko's departure only adds to the uncertainty surrounding the program's future.