Louisiana State University’s men’s basketball program revealed this week that Gilad Levy, a 6‑foot‑10 center from Israel, has signed on for the upcoming 2026‑27 season.
Levy spent the most recent campaign in Spain’s Primera FEB, appearing in 15 games and posting modest averages of 1.9 points and 1.7 rebounds, a stint that followed five straight years of professional play.
His professional trajectory includes a recent run in Israel’s BSL, where across 22 appearances he recorded 1.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game, numbers that reflect a steady, if not spectacular, contribution but one that the coaching staff believes can translate into added depth.
The move comes as LSU continues to weave an international fabric into its squad, already featuring players such as Saliou Niang, Marcio Santos, Brice Dessert and Michael Ruzic, all of whom bring diverse backgrounds and skill sets.
A Roster Built on Global Experience
In addition to the four overseas athletes, the roster will welcome six newcomers from the NBA transfer portal — Donovan Dent, Skyy Clark, Mo Dioubate, Abdi Bashri, Divine Ugochukwu and Austin Nunez — further enriching the team’s versatility.
Among them, RJ Luis, a former St. John’s standout who went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, has already secured eligibility and signed a two‑way contract, a development that the program views as a boost to its backcourt options.
Coach Will Wade, who has been instrumental in curating this global mix, emphasized that the blend of experience and youthful energy positions the Tigers to compete aggressively in the SEC and beyond.
The addition of Levy is seen as a strategic step to solidify front‑court depth, offering a seasoned presence that can mentor younger big men while providing reliable spacing on offense.
Fans can expect to see how Levy’s overseas pedigree meshes with the existing talent pool, a storyline that will unfold throughout the preseason and into the regular season.