LSU men’s basketball has added a major piece to its roster with the transfer commitment of Max Mackinnon, a standout shooter from the University of Portland. Mackinnon, known for his elite three-point shooting, will bring some much-needed firepower to the Tigers after a disappointing 2024-25 season in which LSU missed the NCAA Tournament and finished 14-18 overall, including a 3-15 record in SEC play.
Mackinnon’s agent, Daniel Moldovan, confirmed the commitment to ESPN on Thursday night. Originally from Australia, the 6-foot-6 wing averaged 14.5 points per game while shooting an impressive 41% from beyond the arc this past season with Portland, a member of the West Coast Conference. His international background and skill set are a welcome addition to LSU, especially given the connection through LSU associate head coach David Patrick, who is also from Australia.
Before playing for Portland, Mackinnon spent two seasons at Elon University. His journey through college basketball, combined with his international roots, showcases his experience and adaptability, which should benefit the Tigers next season. He chose LSU over several other programs that were actively recruiting him out of the transfer portal, a testament to the Tigers’ strong pitch and fit for his talents.
In addition to his scoring, Mackinnon contributes across the board. He averaged 4.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game last season while shooting 46.7% from the field and an outstanding 88.7% from the free-throw line. His all-around offensive skill set will be a major asset for LSU as the program looks to rebound from a rough season and return to relevance in the SEC.
Mackinnon becomes the fourth transfer commitment for LSU this offseason, signaling an aggressive approach by head coach Matt McMahon and his staff to retool the roster. With the addition of a high-level shooter like Mackinnon, LSU hopes to significantly improve its offensive output and overall competitiveness in the conference next year.
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