IU basketball transfer portal player profile: LSU wing Tyrell Ward

Indiana’s 2025-26 roster will be built this spring by new coach Darian DeVries, who will navigate the transfer portal to assemble his first team in Bloomington.

Inside the Hall will examine some of the prospects linked to the Hoosiers this spring. Today: LSU wing Tyrell Ward.

Numbers to know

54 career games at LSU: 6.8 points, two rebounds, 0.7 assists and 0.8 steals in 18.6 minutes per game. Ward shot 41.7 percent with the Tigers, including marks of 39.5 percent from 3-point range and 67.6 percent at the free throw line. Ward has 18 career starts.

Background and potential fit

A once-heralded recruit, Tyrell Ward hit the portal a year removed from playing basketball and looking for a new home. Hailing from Washington D.C., Ward was a four-star prospect in the 2022 class at storied DeMatha Catholic High School – which produced IU All-American Victor Oladipo. Originally a Xavier commit, he reopened his recruitment after Travis Steele was fired in March of 2022 and pledged to LSU a month later.

Ward appeared in 23 of the Tigers’ 33 contests his freshman year, making eight starts. He posted 3.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.7 steals in 14.3 minutes per night.

He struggled to shoot well from the field in his limited playing time. He shot 36.1 percent from the floor, 34.8 percent from distance and 66.7 percent at the line.

Still, he showed flashes. In a February matchup against Texas A&M, Ward produced a season-high 15 points with three rebounds, a block and a steal in 30 minutes. It was his sole double-digit scoring game.

The following season, the 2023-24 campaign, Ward’s usage and production leapt. In 31 of LSU’s 33 games, including 10 starts, Ward averaged 9.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, 0.8 assists and 0.9 steals in 21.7 minutes per game.

His efficiency improved with his production. He bumped his field goal percentage up to 43.8 percent and his 3-point mark to 41.3 percent while making 67.8 percent of his free throws.

After one double-digit scoring outing in his freshman year, the number jumped to 14 in his sophomore campaign, often in spurts. His best outing came in March against Arkansas – a season-high 19 points with five rebounds, an assist and two steals. He also made a buzzer-beater to upset then-No. 17 Kentucky.

This past season, Ward missed LSU’s exhibition scrimmage and coach Matt McMahon didn’t explain his unavailability. Prior to the team’s regular season opener, McMahon announced that Ward was stepping away from the team to focus on his mental health. He did not play the 2024-25 season.

Ward entered the transfer portal March 21. He has two years of eligibility remaining.

With a lengthy, wiry 6-foot-6 frame, Ward can slot in as a big two-guard or play more as a wing. More than half his field goal attempts come from outside, he excels in transition offense and has a solid steal rate.

Considering Indiana’s current five-man roster makeup, six if Luke Goode’s waiver is cleared, Darian DeVries has prioritized shooters in the portal and Ward is no exception.

Sam Kayser reported April 12 that Ward has consistently heard from Indiana, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, NC State and VCU. Ward’s recruitment could be aided by one of DeVries’ newest assistants – Kenny Johnson. Johnson holds strong ties to the DMV area.

Scouting Video

(Photo credit: LSU Athletics)

Category: Recruiting

Filed to: Tyrell Ward