Three Star Point Guard Jalen Cook Commits to LSU

News broke late Tuesday evening that 2020 point guard Jalen Cook was announcing his commitment to play for LSU.

Hailing from Walker, Cook is the state’s reigning Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year winner. Cook averaged 29.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists this past season leading his Wildcats to a 29-10 record and the 5A state runner up. As a sophomore, Cook led Walker to its first ever championship in basketball.

“The LSU coaches have been with me and talking to me since I was a freshman,” Cook said. “They have always been straight with me. I knew LSU was where I wanted to play. I grew up being an LSU fan for basketball and football. I watched Jarell Martin and Ben Simmons in basketball. This is my home and I love it here. Why would I want to leave?”

Standing at an even six feet tall and weighting 180 pounds, Cook is 247Sports No. 114 ranked prospect and 22nd ranked point guard. Cook is also the second highest rated player in the state of Louisiana, behind Scotlandville’s Reece Beekman.

Cook also has the potential to play football at the collegiate level, garnering offers from schools like Auburn, Louisiana Tech and Miami. Cook is a three-star wide receiver prospect and 22nd in the state of Louisiana overall. But unlike 2020 basketball and football commit Jordan Toles, Cook only plans to play basketball for LSU.

Per The Advocate, Cook is the first Tiger basketball commitment from Livingston Parish since 2005, when now assistant LSU coach Tasmin Mitchell was a McDonald’s All American at Denham Springs High School.