Donovan Dent, the former UCLA point guard known for his elite playmaking, has officially joined the LSU Tigers for the 2026‑27 season, bringing a proven floor‑general presence to coach Will Wade’s program.
The Playmaker’s Journey
Dent’s college career spans three seasons at New Mexico, where he earned Mountain West Player of the Year honors after averaging 20.4 points, 6.4 assists, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, followed by a standout year at UCLA that placed him among the nation’s top assist leaders.
During that season at UCLA he posted a 14‑point, 15‑assist outing without a turnover in an overtime win over Illinois and logged a triple‑double in the Big Ten Tournament, underscoring his ability to control the game’s tempo.
After initially announcing his retirement, Dent reversed course to pursue a fifth year of eligibility, a move that has been welcomed by Wade, who highlighted the guard’s leadership and depth he will add to the roster.
The addition of Dent is expected to reshape LSU’s offensive schemes, offering a blend of scoring and distribution that could elevate the Tigers’ competitiveness in the upcoming season.