Son of LSU football legend commits to Texas basketball over LSU

Marcus Spears Jr., the son of former LSU football defensive end Marcus Spears, announced he is reclassifying into the class of 2027 and committed to Texas on Thursday afternoon, picking the Longhorns over LSU, Arizona, and Kentucky.

A 6-foot-10 power forward, Spears is the No. 1 overall prospect for the class of 2027, but because he turned 17 in April, he will not be able to enter the next NBA Draft. Instead, Spears will have to spend two years in Austin. Spears averaged 20.9 points and 8.7 rebounds in this spring's Nike EYBL Circuit. He was also Team USA's leading scorer for the gold-medal winning team at the FIBA U16 Americup, averaging 14 points and 6.5 rebounds.

Spears may be the son of LSU royalty, but unlike Marcus Sr., he is not from Louisiana. Spears was born and raised in Texas and his sister, Cari, also plays volleyball for the Longhorns.

"Marcus Jr. grew up in Texas, and there's nothing like playing for your home school and winning," Spears said. "I experienced that growing up in Louisiana at LSU. This is his decision and his future."

It's certainly a blow to Will Wade and LSU, though it's unclear just how seriously Spears Jr. was considering the Tigers. Spears Jr. took an unofficial visit to LSU in October back when Matt McMahon was still coaching the Tigers and was re-offered when Wade took over, but Spears Jr. said in late May he had yet to talk with Wade.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Son of LSU football legend commits to Texas basketball over LSU