LSU Officially Adds Four Transfer Players Headlined by Kansas State Guard Abdi Bashir Jr.
LSU men’s basketball has officially strengthened its roster with the addition of four transfer players, as the program announced the signings of Kansas State guard Abdi Bashir Jr., Kentucky forward Mouhamed Dioubate, UTSA guard Austin Nunez, and Michigan State guard Divine Ugochukwu. All four players are already enrolled and on campus as LSU continues its roster rebuild under head coach Will Wade ahead of his second stint leading the Tigers.
The group of new arrivals provides LSU with a mix of scoring, experience, and versatility as the program looks to re-establish itself as a major competitor. The signings come during an active offseason in Baton Rouge, where Wade and his staff have aggressively worked the transfer portal to reshape the roster with experienced college talent.
Among the headliners is Abdi Bashir Jr., a 6-foot-7 guard who arrives from Kansas State after a productive season. Bashir averaged 13.2 points, 2.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds while shooting an impressive 44.4% from three-point range over 18 games. Known primarily for his perimeter shooting ability, he brings immediate offensive firepower to LSU’s backcourt.
Before his time at Kansas State, Bashir also spent two seasons at Monmouth, further adding to his college experience. LSU head coach Will Wade praised Bashir’s shooting touch and scoring ability, describing him as one of the most dangerous perimeter threats on the roster and an important piece for the team’s future offensive system.
Another key addition is Mouhamed Dioubate, a 6-foot-7 forward who arrives from Kentucky after previously playing at Alabama. Dioubate averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in 21.6 minutes per game last season with the Wildcats. Known for his toughness and defensive versatility, he has experience guarding multiple positions and provides LSU with a physical presence in the frontcourt.
Wade highlighted Dioubate’s competitiveness and ability to make smart decisions in key moments, noting his value as a player capable of impacting both ends of the floor. His size and defensive flexibility are expected to play a major role in LSU’s rotation.
The Tigers also added guard Austin Nunez from UTSA. The 6-foot-2 guard contributed 9.8 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.1 rebounds per game last season. Having previously spent time at Mississippi State and Arizona State, Nunez brings valuable experience across multiple programs. Wade described him as a steady floor general with strong situational awareness and the ability to manage the pace of the game effectively.
Rounding out the group is Divine Ugochukwu, a 6-foot-3 guard who transferred from Michigan State after beginning his college career at Miami. Last season, he averaged 5.1 points and 1.5 assists in limited minutes, playing 16.1 minutes per game. His ability to operate at both point guard and shooting guard gives LSU added flexibility in the backcourt rotation.
Together, the four transfers are expected to play major roles as LSU reshapes its roster heading into the upcoming season.
In addition to these signings, LSU is also reportedly pursuing several international prospects and former college players, some of whom may require NCAA eligibility waivers due to prior professional experience overseas. Among those linked to the program are Israeli guard Yam Madar, French big man Brice Dessert, Brazilian forward Marcio Santos, Italian wing Saliou Niang, and Croatian prospect Michael Ruzic.
Another notable name connected to LSU is former St. John’s standout RJ Luis, who is also awaiting NCAA eligibility clearance. Luis, a 6-foot-7 wing and former Big East Player of the Year, previously went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft after declaring early. Although he briefly signed a two-way NBA contract, he never appeared in a professional game, which could support his case for NCAA eligibility if approved.
As LSU continues to build its roster, the program appears focused on blending experienced transfers with international talent in an effort to quickly return to national prominence.
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