LSU's bright future dims a bit with Jordan Mickey's departure
LSU won't have nearly as much returning talent to pair with No. 1 overall recruit Ben Simmons as it might have hoped.
Sophomore forwards Jarell Martin and Jordan Mickey both are forgoing their final two seasons of eligibility and entering the NBA draft.
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Martin, who averaged 16.9 points and 9.2 rebounds this past season, announced his decision last week. Mickey, who averaged 15.4 points and 9.9 rebounds, revealed his decision on Tuesday in a text message statement to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
"After discussing my options with my family, I believe this is the time to move on and accept new challenges at the next level," Mickey wrote.
"This was a tough decision because I hate to leave my teammates and LSU family. We have been through a lot in the past two years as we have grown as a team. This is just the beginning for LSU. I'm confident great things are coming in the near future for this team as they continue to grow. I wanted things to end on a better note but due to injuries, I was limited in what I could do for my team. Trust that I gave it my all."
Whereas Martin has a chance to be a late first-round pick, Mickey is more likely to be taken in the second round if at all. DraftExpress.com currently ranks him No. 80 in its top 100 prospects list.
The departure of Martin and Mickey ensures that Simmons will be LSU's focal point next season in the frontcourt. The 6-foot-9 Australia native will be surrounded by a strong group of guards that is expected to include returners Tim Quarterman, Keith Hornsby and Josh Gray as well as high-scoring elite recruit Antonio Blakeney. LSU's staff still is in hot pursuit of highly touted guard Malik Newman as well, though the Tigers would have to outduel Kentucky and Arkansas to get him.
Martin and Mickey led LSU to an NCAA tournament bid as sophomores, but the Tigers were never able to fully meet expectations. They suffered a handful of headscratching losses to lesser SEC teams during league play and blew a late lead against NC State in the opening round of the NCAA tournament.
Had either Martin or Mickey returned to join Simmons, LSU might have started next season in the top 20 of the AP poll.
Instead the Tigers will lose both and will enter the new season with plenty of question marks.
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
