The first male basketball player from LSU to access the transfer portal. Look who it is.
In March 2022, ten days after Matt McMahon was appointed LSU’s basketball coach, Mwani Wilkinson was the eleventh and last Tiger scholarship player to sign through the transfer portal.
After rejoining the club in the summer of 2022 and playing for McMahon for the previous two seasons, Wilkinson became the first member of this year’s squad to enter his name in the site on Friday.
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Wilkinson is eligible for a COVID-19 bonus season. He spent four seasons as a player at LSU. After he graduates in May, it’s unclear if he will play for the Tigers again or look for another opportunity.
During a senior night ceremony on March 9, the Las Vegas native—a four-star recruit from nationally renowned Bishop Gorman High School—was recognized for his achievements to the program despite many injuries that restricted his playing time.
Throughout his career, he averaged 3.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game while playing in 100 games, making 57 starts.
After sustaining a shoulder injury during preseason practice in 2023, Wilkinson participated in just 12 games as a junior. Early in the season, he made an effort to play through the injury, but in January, he underwent surgery to end his career.
This season, Wilkinson made a comeback, averaging 2.1 points and 1.0 rebounds in 27 games, four of which were starts, helping LSU secure an NIT spot. The Tigers’ final record was 17–16.
In terms of statistics, Wilkinson had his greatest season in 2022, when he started 30 of the 34 LSU games he participated in. He led the Tigers to their second consecutive NCAA tournament berth, averaging 4.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals.
On the eve of his final home game, Wilkinson was asked about his future plans and indicated he wasn’t sure if he would prefer to go on or return the next season.
“I move a lot in the present,” he remarked. I can only focus on the present in order to position myself to be where I want to be in the future, so I don’t dwell on the past or the future. My decision-making is highly impromptu.
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