Xavier Young Commits to LSU, Secures Top Recruiting Class

LSU now holds the No. 1 recruiting class in the country after five-star center Xavier Young committed to the Tigers. The move places the program ahead of its peers in the 2027 cycle.

Young was a member of the class of 2028 before deciding to reclassify. He turned 16 in March this year. He told ESPN on Saturday that he chose LSU over Tennessee, Maryland, Michigan, and TCU. He took official visits to four of those finalists in recent weeks.

The decision followed a meeting with head coach Will Wade. Young said Wade analyzed his game and told him he has a chance to become an NBA player. "He believes in me that much," Young said. He also met women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey during the visit.

Young described the campus atmosphere as a key factor. He noted that fans were excited to see Wade walk around campus. He received high-fives from supporters at a Louisiana Tech football game. "There's great support for the basketball program there," he said.

The center will have to spend at least two years in college before he is eligible for the NBA draft. Young said he trusts Wade's two-year plan to help him reach the league. "I put a lot of trust in Coach Wade," Young said.

Young is 6-foot-9 and played for Texas Impact on the UAA circuit last spring and summer. He averaged 10.4 points and 7.8 rebounds over 18 games. He shot 61% from the field during that stretch.

He also represented the United States at the FIBA U17 Men's World Cup in Istanbul. He helped the under-17 national team win the gold medal. He averaged 7.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in that tournament.

This is the third five-star recruit for LSU in the 2027 class. It is the fourth top-25 recruit. He joins guards Reese Alston and King Gibson, as well as four-star forward Ahmad Hudson. Alston committed on Thursday, and Gibson signed earlier this month. Hudson has been with the program since the spring.

Young expressed excitement about joining his new teammates. "I'm excited and can't wait to play with King Gibson and Reese Alston, two of the best guards in the country," he said.