Throughout June and heading into the all-important July recruiting period, Jeff Goodman and Jeff Borzello will take a look at the summer checklists for the top 50 programs in college basketball, as revealed in Goodman's preseason ballot published in late May. Goodman and Borzello will show you each roster the way the coaches are looking at it, projecting graduation/NBA casualties and areas of need ahead of 2016-17. Below is the summer guide for the LSU Tigers
An index and schedule for the Summer Recruiting Bible series is located HERE.
Scholarship chart
Seniors (2): PG Josh Gray, SG Keith Hornsby
Juniors (3): G Tim Quarterman, PF Brian Bridgewater, C Darcy Malone
Sophomores (4): PG Jalyn Patterson, PF Craig Victor, C Elbert Robinson III, C Aaron Epps
Freshmen (3): SG Antonio Blakeney, SG Brandon Sampson, F Ben Simmons
Possible early entries: PF Ben Simmons, PG Tim Quarterman, SG Antonio Blakeney
Available scholarships for 2016: At least three (possibly six)
Committed prospects for 2016 and beyond: SG Cedric Russell (Louisiana Elite, 2017)
Biggest needs for 2016-17: Point guard, shooting guard/wing, combo forward
Must-haves: PG Kobi Simmons (No. 6 in ESPN 100, Atlanta Celtics), SF Jonathan Isaac (No. 12, Each 1 Teach 1), SG Malik Crowfield (New Orleans Elite)
Targets: PG Kobi Simmons (No. 6, Atlanta Celtics), SF Jonathan Isaac (No. 12, Each 1 Teach 1), SG Malik Crowfield (New Orleans Elite), SF Braxton Blackwell (No. 37, Atlanta Celtics), SF Mario Kegler (No. 36, MBA Hoops), PG Skylar Mays (MWA Elite), PF Cameron Lard (No. 94, New Orleans Elite)
Summer Scenario
Coming off a cycle in which they had one of the best recruiting classes in the country -- including No. 1 recruit Ben Simmons -- the Tigers are trying once again to make a splash on the recruiting trail. They only have three scholarships left, but Johnny Jones and his staff are preparing for the potential loss of Simmons, fellow freshman Antonio Blakeney and rising junior Tim Quarterman. If all three leave, LSU will face a rebuilding task on the perimeter. As a result, elite point guard Kobi Simmons and local two-guard Malik Crowfield are near the top of the wish list. Jonathan Isaac, one of the fastest-rising players nationally, could be something of a Simmons replacement. Getting Simmons and Blakeney really boosted the Tigers' recruiting profile nationally; can they take advantage and carry the momentum into 2016?