Coach Will Wade has taken an unorthodox approach to his team’s recruitment in the current offseason, which may have turned some heads and prompted questions. On Tuesday, May 19, a couple of current international professional players have committed to the LSU Tigers in the 2026-27 season: Virtus Bologna forward Saliou Niang and Anadolu Efes big man Brice Dessert.
The signings have since sparked discussions in the college basketball world about the validity of the two, given their professional stints. This is part of an ongoing discussion in college basketball about a rising trend of professional basketball players, including former NBA draftees, returning to college. For many, this should not be allowed.
“BREAKING: French big Brice Dessert has committed to LSU, per @be_basket. The 6’11 big averaged 5.3 PPG on 68.3 FG% for Anadolu Efes in the Euroleague this season,” @recruitsnews on Instagram captioned.
– @recruitsnews on Instagram, May 19, 2026
College basketball fans and spectators online did not react too kindly to the kind of players coach Wade has been recruiting this offseason.
“Will Wade is actually a terrorist,” one fan said.
“Bruh Will Wade recruiting mfs in NBA 😂,” another fan shared with a laughing emoji.
“I can’t blame these dudes because they’re making more money going back to college. Wade does not care. I hope he wins a national championship with bunch of pro players. It will generate real discussions on what is happening,” another user explained.
“I can’t wait to see Will Wade’s reaction when this LSU team misses the tourney,” a fan wrote.
Other users all over X/Twitter believe that professional players playing college basketball ruin the integrity of the sport.
“I ain’t even mad at LSU, they’re following the rules. The whole thing is just f*ck*d,” one user claimed.
“Every team scheduled to play LSU needs to forfeit these fu*k*ng clowns,” another user asserted.
“The SEC should just refuse to play LSU,” a user posted.
What has added fuel to the fire is the fact that Niang was already in the NBA. Prior to playing in Italy for Virtus Bologna, the young talent was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 58th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. He was a draft-and-stash candidate, though, and did not eventually sign with the Cavaliers. For Dessert, he played for Anadolu Efes this past season in the Euroleague.
Five players committed to the LSU Tigers next season have professional experience
Saliou Niang and Brice Dessert will join four other LSU Tigers who have prior professional experience, including in the NBA. These are Israeli guard Yam Madar, former Big East conference Player of the Year RJ Luis Jr., and 23-year-old Marcio Santos.
Coach Will Wade has seemingly made it a point to recruit professional players in the hopes of bringing the LSU Tigers to the 2027 NCAA tournament.
Also Read:
Will Wade’s LSU Lash Out $5 Million for 25YO Guard from 2020 NBA Draft
Who Is Yam Madar? All We Know About Former NBA Second Round Pick Returning To Will Wade’s LSU
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