LSU Basketball Roster Completely Emptied After Will Wade Hire

The Tigers have zero players on the roster following a mass exodus of transfers.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:56pm

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A cubist, fragmented painting depicting a basketball game broken down into sharp, angular shapes and planes in deep purple, navy, and crimson tones, conveying the chaotic state of the LSU basketball program.The sudden exodus of players from the LSU basketball program leaves the team's future in a state of geometric flux.Baton Rouge Today

In a stunning development, the LSU men's basketball team has been left with a completely empty roster just 22 days after the hiring of new head coach Will Wade. Nine players have entered the transfer portal, while another five lost their eligibility, leaving the Tigers without a single player on the team. This unprecedented situation puts Wade and his staff in a difficult position as they scramble to rebuild the roster ahead of the upcoming season.

Why it matters

LSU's complete roster turnover following Wade's return as head coach raises serious questions about the program's stability and the coach's ability to retain talent. With the Tigers finishing at the bottom of the SEC last season, anything short of a .500 record next year could spell disaster for the new regime.

The details

After LSU spent a reported $15.3 million to buy out former coach Matt McMahon and release Wade from his NC State deal, the Tigers now face the reality of starting over from scratch. Nine players have entered the transfer portal, while another five lost their eligibility, leaving the team with zero players on the roster. The latest departure was guard Jalen Reece, who entered the portal on Friday morning.

  • Will Wade was hired as LSU's new head coach on March 27, 2026.
  • As of April 17, 2026, the Tigers have zero players on their roster.

The players

Will Wade

The new head coach of the LSU men's basketball team, who previously held the same position from 2017 to 2022 before leaving for NC State.

Jalen Reece

A former LSU guard who entered the transfer portal on April 17, 2026, officially leaving the Tigers with no players on their roster.

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What they’re saying

“LSU currently has ZERO players on their roster 🤯”

— The Field of 68, Twitter account

What’s next

Wade and his staff will need to work quickly to rebuild the LSU roster through the transfer portal before the start of the upcoming season.

The takeaway

The complete exodus of players from the LSU basketball program following Will Wade's return as head coach highlights the instability and challenges the team now faces. Wade and the university administration will need to act swiftly to assemble a competitive roster for the 2026-27 season.