Tyrell Ward’s 2024-25 season at LSU didn’t go as planned, as the junior guard faced challenges finding his rhythm and consistency. In 31 games, he averaged 9.1 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while shooting 41.2% from the field and 35.8% from three-point range.
Those numbers marked a step back from his sophomore season, during which he showed flashes of his potential—most notably, with a 17-point game-winner against Kentucky.
The 6-foot-6 wing, a former top recruit from Washington, D.C., decided to transfer to VCU in hopes of a fresh start and a bigger opportunity to showcase his scoring and defensive ability in the Atlantic 10.

What Tyrell Ward’s Transfer Means for the VCU Rams
Under head coach Phil Martelli Jr., Ward has a chance to hit the reset button in a system built to highlight his strengths.
Martelli’s player-friendly style and track record of developing guards give Ward a real opportunity to grow into a leadership role. The coach’s fast-paced approach not only fits Ward’s athletic ability but also provides him with the structure and support needed to bounce back and thrive in a new environment.
NEWS: LSU transfer Tyrell Ward has committed to VCU, he told @LeagueRDY.
Ward is a former four-star recruit who played his first two seasons for LSU. He did not enter a game this season for the Tigers.
He averaged 9.1PPG and 2.3RPG this season. pic.twitter.com/dmxj8rLbcS
— Sam Kayser (@247HSHoops) April 20, 2025
Ward also brings valuable experience from playing in the SEC, which could help elevate VCU’s competitiveness in the Atlantic 10.
His time at a high-major program gives him a strong foundation in facing elite competition, and that maturity could make him a leader on a younger Rams roster.
With a fresh start under a coach known for maximizing guard talent, Ward has the chance to become a key piece in both VCU’s offensive rhythm and defensive intensity.
Ward’s Instagram post captioned “New beginnings” signals more than just a team change—it reflects a fresh chapter in his basketball journey.
After a challenging year at LSU, the move to VCU offers Ward a clean slate and a chance to redefine his role under a new coach in a new system.
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The caption speaks to his mindset: focused on growth, eager to prove himself, and ready to embrace the opportunity that comes with a new environment and expectations.
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