Will Wade returned to LSU in March this year, replacing Matt McMahon as their head coach. His first stint with the LSU Tigers was from 2017 to 2022. In the last two years of his first tenure, Wade was investigated for numerous alleged recruiting violations.
After LSU, Wade went to the McNeese Cowboys and then the NC State Wolfpack before making a comeback. LSU hasn’t been to the NCAA Tournament since Wade left in 2022. The last few years have been disappointing.
Even though his return was deemed controversial by many, Wade joined the program with high expectations riding on his shoulders. He has since been busy making key recruitments, strengthening LSU’s roster.
He recently landed a commitment from Michigan State transfer guard Divine Ugochukwu. The 6’3 sophomore from Sugar Land, Texas, has played for the Miami Hurricanes and the Michigan State Spartans so far.
He played 22 games last season, averaging 5.1 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while shooting over 50% from the field. Ugochukwu averaged 16.1 minutes per outing, which was a drop from his 20.1 minutes per game at Miami.
He is the third player that Wade has brought in since joining the program, after Kentucky transfer forward Mouhamed Dioubate and international big man Marcio Santos.
Utilizing the international market has been a part of Wade’s recruitment strategy this year. During a conversation with CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Wade said that he will lean heavier on the international route.
“This year, I’m going to lean a little heavier on the international route… Those kids have a lot of experience, there’s just some natural things they’ve learned over there that really help in college basketball and can translate to us in college basketball,” he said.
Wade’s primary objective is to bring the best players to LSU, and he believes the international route will help him achieve that.
Will Wade on Leaving NC State
Wade had a successful run with the LSU Tigers from 2017 to 2022. Before being fired in March 2022 over the recruiting scandal, Wade took the Tigers to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2019.
Wade found success with the Cowboys and the Wolfpack as well, making it to the NCAA Tournament in three consecutive seasons. His run with the Wolfpack was very impressive as he took them to the Final Four.
Leaving NC State was very difficult for Wade.
“It was very difficult,” he told Rothstein. “It was something that I thought about quite a bit. I stayed up that night when I knew that LSU would be a possibility and had to weigh the pros and the cons.”
Wade’s NC State team made a 20-14 overall run, including 10-8 in the conference.
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