5-Star Xavier Young Commits to LSU, Will Join Reese Alston After Reclassifying to 2027

LSU head coach Will Wade is on his way to having the best recruiting class in 2027 after landing his second major commitment of the week.

Xavier Young told ESPN's Paul Biancardi on Saturday that he will play for the Tigers starting next year after reclassifying to 2027, according to ESPN's Jeff Borzello.

Young is a 5-star recruit and No. 11 overall player in the 2027 class, per 247Sports composite rankings. He will be joined in Baton Rouge by fellow 5-star prospect Reese Alston, who committed to LSU on Thursday.

Young is a standout at Faith Family Academy of Oak Cliff in Dallas. He's also coming off a summer playing for the USA Basketball team that won gold at the U-17 World Cup.

The Texas native averaged 7.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in seven appearances for the U.S. team.

Young had been taking visits recently, with 247Sports noting he had been to LSU, Maryland, Michigan and Tennessee since the start of September.

LSU now has four total commits in 2027, led by Young and Alston. King Gibson and Ahmad Hudson, both 4-star prospects, round out the group.

The Tigers entered the day with the No. 2 recruiting class in the country next year, behind only Houston. Young's commitment will almost certainly move them into the top spot.

Connecticut and Duke and currently the only other programs with commitments from at least two of the top-15 prospects in next year's class.

Young's decision is a huge victory for Wade as he begins his second stint as head coach at LSU. The 43-year-old was hired in March after Matt McMahon was fired following a 60-70 record in four seasons.

Wade had a 105-51 record with three NCAA tournament appearances and one SEC regular-season title in five seasons during his first stint with the program from 2017 to '22.