LSU Men's Basketball Alumni Shine in 2025-26 NBA Season

Strategic Insights -

Six former members of the Louisiana State University men's basketball team are making their mark in the National Basketball Association as the 2025-26 season tips off. Veteran Garrett Temple, who played at LSU from 2006-09, returns to the Toronto Raptors, while fan favorite Naz Reid, who played for the Tigers in 2019, will go for another year with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Key Takeaways:

  • Garrett Temple, a two-time SEC Champion and NCAA Final Four participant, returns to the Toronto Raptors for his third season with the team. Temple, who needs 21 more games to move past Bob Pettit into second on LSU's games played list, has played 771 games in the Association.
  • Naz Reid, a member of LSU's Sweet 16 team in 2019, enters his seventh season with the Minnesota Timberwolves, having averaged a career best 14.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game last season. Reid has played 406 games to date with a scoring average of 11.6 points per contest.
  • Cam Thomas, the 27th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, enters his fifth season with the Brooklyn Nets, where he averaged 24.0 points per game in an injury-shortened season last year.
  • Tari Eason, the 17th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, will play his third season with the Houston Rockets, having averaged 12.1 points in 56 games last season. Eason may have limited playing time due to a reported hamstring injury.
  • Trendon Watford will play for his third NBA team in his fifth season in the league, having averaged a personal best 10.2 points in 44 games last season.
  • Duop Reath, who played overseas for five years, enters his third season with the Portland Trail Blazers, having played in 114 games over his first two seasons with the team.

Statistics:

  • Garrett Temple has played 771 games in the National Basketball Association.
  • Naz Reid has averaged 11.6 points per contest in his 406 games to date.
  • Cam Thomas averaged 24.0 points per game in an injury-shortened season last year.
  • Tari Eason averaged 12.1 points in 56 games last season.
  • Trendon Watford averaged 10.2 points in 44 games last season.
  • Duop Reath has played in 114 games over his first two seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Sources:

  • The State of Louisiana news release.
  • National Basketball Association (NBA).
  • Toronto Raptors.
  • Minnesota Timberwolves.
  • Brooklyn Nets.
  • Houston Rockets.
  • Philadelphia 76ers.
  • Portland Trail Blazers.