The 2026 NBA Draft concluded without a single LSU tiger hearing his name called, continuing a streak that now spans four years.
For the program, the drought underscores both the competitive depth of the league and the challenges faced by college teams in translating talent into professional opportunities.
Summer League Prospects
Nevertheless, several former Tigers will get a chance to prove themselves on the court in the NBA Summer League, which opens later this month in Las Vegas.
The event serves as a showcase for undrafted players and those hoping to earn a spot on a roster through summer competition.
Max Mackinnon, who led LSU in scoring during his lone season with the Tigers, has signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Charlotte Hornets, a deal that guarantees his G League rights but is not fully guaranteed.
Marquel Sutton, a transfer from Omaha who spent one year at LSU, earned an invitation to the Summer League with the Sacramento Kings, giving him a platform to display his abilities.
Both players will join a field of hopefuls in Las Vegas, where the intensity of summer games often influences final roster decisions.
The participation of LSU alumni highlights the program’s ongoing pipeline to the NBA, even as draft night has repeatedly passed them by.