REPORT: LSU Coach Suspended His Star Player For Failure To Meet Standards
LSU men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon confirmed on Monday that point guard Jalen Cook is currently suspended from the team, a development that wasn’t entirely unexpected.
Cook, who played at LSU as a freshman and had two seasons at Tulane before returning to LSU last spring, did not accompany the team to Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt. Despite his absence, the Tigers secured a 75-61 victory, marking their fourth win in the last five games.
During his weekly news conference, McMahon revealed that Cook, a former standout at Walker High School, is suspended due to “failure to meet the standards that I have in place for the program.” With LSU having just three more games left this season, including two to conclude the regular season and at least one game in the Southeastern Conference tournament, it’s probable that Cook has played his final game with the Tigers.
The 6-foot guard was sidelined for the initial 10 games of the season as he sought immediate eligibility from the NCAA following his two transfers. However, he hasn’t seen action since February 13, when he came off the bench to contribute 12 points in a narrow 82-80 loss against Florida.
Although Cook showcased flashes of talent, particularly with a season-high 28 points in a win against Vanderbilt on January 9, his performance was inconsistent. He struggled with shooting efficiency, connecting on just 41.3% of his field-goal attempts and 32.5% from beyond the arc. Additionally, turnovers were a concern, as he amassed 29 turnovers compared to 21 assists in conference play.
In Cook’s absence, Trae Hannibal has taken over as the starting point guard, demonstrating solid performances in the role. Hannibal’s contributions, alongside off-guard Jordan Wright, have been instrumental in LSU’s recent successes, with the team managing to achieve an 8-8 record in SEC play following the victory against Vanderbilt.
As LSU prepares for their final regular-season games against Arkansas and Missouri, Cook’s suspension presents an opportunity for other players to step up and contribute to the team’s efforts on the court.