In a major offseason acquisition, LSU basketball has landed Marquel Sutton the Summit League Player of the Year from the University of Omaha. The 6’9″ power forward announced his commitment on April 6 after visiting Baton Rouge earlier that week, choosing the Tigers from a crowded field of over 20 high profile suitors.
Sutton, who averaged 18.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game during his standout 2024-25 season, enters the transfer portal as one of its most coveted forwards.
The Tulsa, Oklahoma native led Omaha to unprecedented success, including the program’s first ever Summit League regular season and tournament championships, along with their inaugural NCAA Tournament appearance.
Marquel Sutton: From Mid-Major Star to SEC Impact Player
After entering the transfer portal on March 26 while simultaneously declaring for the NBA Draft, Sutton quickly garnered attention from programs including Kansas, Miami, Ohio State and Texas. His decision to join Matt McMahon’s Tigers comes at a critical time for LSU, which is looking to rebound after a challenging previous season.
NEWS: Omaha transfer Marquel Sutton is transferring to LSU he tells @247SportsPortal
The Summit League Player of the Year averaged 18.9 points and 7.9 rebounds this season. https://t.co/g6jJCNa9Cp pic.twitter.com/iShY0xfbaN
— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) April 6, 2025
The former junior college standout brings more than just impressive statistics to the Tigers. His leadership proved instrumental in Omaha’s historic season, where he earned Summit League Tournament MVP honors after guiding the Mavericks to an 85-75 victory over St. Thomas in the championship game.
Sutton’s path to prominence wasn’t always clear. As an unranked high school prospect from Tulsa Will Rogers, he averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds as a senior but found himself taking the junior college route at Connors State, where he posted 16.6 points and 9.1 rebounds per game before landing at Omaha.
Building LSU’s Transfer Portal Success
Sutton becomes the latest addition in LSU’s aggressive transfer portal strategy, joining Mississippi State transfer Michael Nwoko in what appears to be a significant frontcourt overhaul. At 6’9″, Sutton provides versatility, scoring prowess and rebounding ability to a Tigers team that struggled in those areas last season.
Despite shooting 47.9% from the field, Sutton’s 27.7% three-point percentage suggests room for growth as he transitions to SEC competition. His physical and high-powered play style should translate well to the conference’s intensity, where he’ll face elite frontcourt talent from programs like Alabama and Auburn.
Coach Matt McMahon, entering his fourth season with the Tigers, has prioritized the transfer portal to reshape a roster that may have tied a program record for losses. Sutton’s experience as the centerpiece of a tournament team provides immediate credibility to LSU’s rebuilding efforts.
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The timing of Sutton’s commitment just four days after his April 2 visit to LSU indicates strong mutual interest. He chose the Tigers after considering visits to Kansas State and a Zoom meeting with Nebraska, suggesting LSU presented the most compelling opportunity for his final collegiate season.
Sutton’s journey represents the increasingly common path of mid-major stars leveraging standout seasons to reach Power 4 conferences.
For LSU, his addition brings NCAA Tournament experience and proven leadership to a program aiming to climb back into contention under McMahon, who enters his fourth season with renewed expectations thanks to this significant transfer haul.
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