NCAAM News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Newsletter

LSU Basketball Lands Commitment From Sharpshooting Transfer Guard

Originally posted on LSU Tigers on SI | By Zack Nagy | Last updated Apr 4, 2025 9:00 AM ET

Matt McMahon and the LSU Tigers have landed a commitment from sharpshooting Portland transfer Max Mackinnon, he revealed via social media on Thursday night.

Mackinnon, one of the top mid-major transfers in the portal, selected the Tigers over multiple programs pursuing his services.

LSU's Transfer Portal Class now adds its fourth member with the overall haul ranking No. 1 in America as the Tigers continue to handling business in the free agent market.

For Mackinnon, the 6-foot-6 guard from Australia spent his first two seasons of college ball with Elon followed by a one-year stint with Portland during the 2024-25 season.

The sharpshooting talent averaged 14.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 46.7 percent shooting from the field, 40.7 percent from three-point range and 88.7 from the free throw line with Portland last season.

NEWS: Portland transfer Max Mackinnon has committed to LSU, his agent Daniel Moldovan told ESPN. The 6'6 Australian wing averaged 14.5 PPG this season, shooting 41% for 3. LSU Associate Head Coach David Patrick going back to his roots. pic.twitter.com/YqO4oR0Z1X
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 4, 2025

Mackinnon was a Second-Team All-WCC selection during the 2024-25 season.

LSU has hit the ground running in the NCAA Transfer Portal with multiple scoring options to this point. Mackinnon joins UNLV's Dedan Thomas, Mississippi State's Michael Nwoko and Northeastern's Rashad King.

The Splash Addition: UNLV's Dedan Thomas Jr. [Guard]

Thomas, 6-1, was named the Mountain West Co-Freshman of the Year in the 2023-24 season and was a Mountain West third team and NABC All-Mountain District Second Team selection for the 2024-25 season.

He led the Runnin’ Rebels in scoring and assists this season with 15.6 points per game (ninth in the Mountain West) and 4.7 assists per game (third in the Mountain West).

He shot 41.3 percent from the field (10th in MW), while making 35 percent of his three-pointers. He had an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.5 (3rd in the MW) and played an average of 35.8 minutes per contest (2nd in MW).

Thomas Jr., started each of the 26 games he appeared in for UNLV this past season, scoring in double figures in 22 games. He had 20 or more points in five games and dished out five assists or more in 16 games.

Thomas Jr. was ranked No. 4 overall in the transfer portal by 247sports.com. He was ranked ninth by ESPN.com.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dedan Thomas Jr., to Baton Rouge,” said LSU men’s basketball head coach Matt McMahon. “Dedan is a creative and skilled point guard who makes everyone around him better. We love his ability to orchestrate the offense, get into the paint off the bounce, and shoot the ball from behind the 3-point arc.

"His vision on the court, unselfishness, and ability to throw the lob pass are fun to watch. I am really excited about his passion for player development and the opportunity to play at LSU. We cannot wait for his arrival on campus this summer.”

The five-star recruit is the son of UNLV player Dedan Thomas Sr., who played on some of the Runnin’ Rebels programs in the early 1990s. He was an honorable mention All-America selection and his name is featured throughout the UNLV record books.

As a freshman, Thomas Jr., also led the team in scoring at 13.6 points per game, 5.2 assists and 36.2 percent from distance, starting all 34 of UNLV’s games.