LSU basketball lost out on one of its top transfer portal targets, but it wasn’t to another college team. The Tigers lost to the NBA as Allen Graves finalized a decision to remain in the NBA Draft.
Had Graves returned to college, he would have been a part of Will Wade’s inaugural LSU squad. Graves entered the transfer portal and the draft, giving the talented forward the chance to explore his college options while going pro. LSU and Duke both recruited Graves, but all reports indicated LSU had the edge if Graves took the college route.
Regardless, Graves is off to the NBA. This is a hit to LSU’s roster. Wade and Co. thought they had a real chance with Graves, but Graves’s draft stock continued to climb as the draft approached.
Graves, a Louisiana native, broke out as a freshman with Santa Clara last season. He’s the brother of former LSU player Marshall Graves, who played for Wade in Wade’s first LSU tenure.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: LSU basketball loses top transfer portal target to the NBA