Tracking Will Wade's 'unconventional' roster at LSU: Who's cleared and who remains in eligibility limbo?

News broke on Tuesday that RJ Luis Jr. will not play for the Tigers this season, but LSU did get good news on the international front With the 2026-27 college basketball season now less than two weeks away, LSU coach Will Wade is still trying to finalize his roster. However, Wade received more clarity on Tuesday on who will and won't be eligible. RJ Luis Jr., who was perhaps the most controversial player seeking a fifth year of eligibility, will not be eligible to play for the Tigers this season, sources told CBS Sports's Matt Norlander on Tuesday. As a result, LSU coach Will Wade has given up his months-long fight on Luis' behalf.

While Luis won't be eligible for the season, two international players will be providing more clarity in Baton Rouge. Brice Dessert is expected to be eligible, while Saliou Niang — a former second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft — has already been cleared, Norlander reported. A 6-foot-8 wing, Niang is an explosive athlete who should be in line to start for the Tigers this season. Niang was named the Italian Lega A Most Improved Player in 2025 before declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft. However, he didn't sign an NBA contract, which gave him a path to become eligible. Niang and Dessert would join Michael