Guard Brandon Rachal to Transfer from LSU

While football season is only a month away, college basketball is still in the process of finalizing rosters before the first workout. Unfortunately, this period of time for basketball can bring some bad news before any good news.

The bad news: sophomore guard Brandon Rachal announced his transfer from LSU Wednesday afternoon with this tweet.

In case the photo won’t open for you on Twitter:

“I would like to take this time announce [sic] that I will be transferring from LSU & will open my recruiting back up. I want to thank the entire LSU team/coaching staff for helping me grow as a young freshman. I believe that in the long run this decision will benefit me & that I will continue to grow as a person & as a player wherever God takes me next.”

Rachal averaged 4.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 15.9 minutes in 27 games for the Tigers last season, but missed LSU’s two NIT games due to a suspension.

There isn’t any good news to perfectly balance this bad news out…yet. Rachal’s announcement comes only three days after it was reported that 4 star wing recruit Aundre Hyatt is reclassifying to 2018 and will announce his commitment on August 10^th. Hyatt has been in contact with Coach Wade since his VCU days, and he’s scheduled to make his official visit to Baton Rouge on August 4^th. Before Rachal’s transfer, LSU had no more spots available for the 2018 class.

While Hyatt’s commitment could be another great addition to LSU’s monster 2018 recruiting class, his impact on the court may also have to wait until the 2019-20 season. Hyatt has been dealing with an injury throughout the offseason, and has thought about redshirting his freshman season, wherever that may be.