While most of Louisiana has been focused on the 2020 recruiting class for LSU football, one of the best players in the state committed to LSU on Tuesday.
That player was Jalen Cook, the state’s number two overall prospect out of Walker High according to 247Sports. The point guard made the announcement official on Twitter that he will be playing for head coach Will Wade.
“I just had a different feeling,” Cook said about why he chose LSU on Bumper to Bumper Sports with Ben Love. “I had a feeling it was my best spot and felt most comfortable with the coaching staff. I was just ready to seal the deal and commit to my hometown.”
He is coming off of a stellar junior season, averaging 29.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 2.8 steals per game and was an integral part to the Wildcats making it to the state championship game for the second straight year, coming up short against Thibodeaux. Walker had won the 5A state title in Cook’s sophomore season.
Cook also discussed how much influence players like Jarell Martin and Ben Simmons had in firming his opinion about the Tigers program.
“They brought so much excitement to basketball here. It was a whole different vibe here in Baton Rouge and even last year’s team did. I just loved seeing my hometown do that. I’ve been an LSU fan all my life and I just want to be the next one to do that.”
While he’s been the shining star of the program the last two seasons, he hasn’t done it alone. Listen in to the interview to hear his thoughts on teammate Brian Thomas, who also plays for the football team and what his plans were for the summer basketball circuit.
-Clint Domingue