LSU’s men’s basketball program has added a new international presence in the form of Gilad Levy, a 7‑foot‑3 center who signed with the Tigers earlier this week. The move marks the fifth overseas player on the roster and underscores the coaching staff’s intent to broaden the team’s global footprint.
Levy’s basketball journey began in Israel, where he competed in the Israeli Basketball Premier League, and continued in Spain’s Primera FEB with Palencia Baloncesto. In his most recent season, he logged 1.9 points and 1.7 rebounds per game, numbers that reflect a developmental stage but also his raw potential as a rim‑protector.
The Tigers have a track record of integrating foreign talent, having previously brought in players such as Marcio Santos, Brice Dessert, Saliou Niang and Michael Ruzic. This season they already have four other committed transfers — Divine Ugochukwu, Austin Nunez, Mouhamed Dioubate and Abdi Bashir Jr. — and are awaiting the arrival of additional pieces like Donovan Dent and Skyy Clark.
A Strategic Push for Global Talent
Coach Will Wade has been vocal about leveraging international recruitment to stay competitive, especially after RJ Luis received a court injunction that clears his path to eligibility. Wade’s vision aligns with a broader trend of programs scouting beyond domestic pipelines.
The team is slated to open its season on November 3 against LSU‑New Orleans, with practices already underway. The deadline to finalize the roster is this Friday, and while some international prospects still require rule exceptions, the coaching staff remains optimistic about fielding a deep, versatile squad.