Hometown Hero: Jordan Wright Ready to Bring LSU Basketball Back

Wright returns home to Louisiana after four productive years at Vanderbilt, prepared to turn things around in Baton Rouge.

Louisiana native Jordan Wright always dreamed of suiting up in the purple and gold. The chance to rep the LSU brand and play under the lights in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center was something he envisioned dating back to high school. It didn’t work out that way.

Wright wasn’t recruited by the Tigers coming out of high school. One of the top players in the state, Will Wade and his staff went in another direction, but it put a chip on Wright’s shoulder when he got to the next level.

The 6-foot-6 guard ultimately took his talent to Nashville where he suited up for Vanderbilt and Coach Jerry Stackhouse. Wright’s time as a Commodore was legendary. He was Stackhouse’s first recruit. He helped turn the program around from the bottom of the SEC to a relevant squad once again.

Wright has been through the process of a rebuild. It’s rewarding. As he returns home to suit up for Head Coach Matt McMahon and the LSU Tigers, he understands the situation he’s walking into, but he believes it can turn around rather quickly.

Hometown Hero

Wright started his playing career at Rummel High School in Metairie, La. He was teammates with Ja’Marr Chase and Aaron Brule during his time as a Raider, but once it was clear his superstar teammates would focus solely on football, he knew he had to make a business decision.

That decision was to lock in on basketball where he decided it would be in his best interest to move to Baton Rouge and transfer to Dunham High School.

“Ultimately it came down to U-High or Dunham. I went to tour both schools the same day and ultimately chose Dunham,” Wright said. “I think it was the best decision I could have made, I learned a lot there. We ended up winning the state championship and it helped prepare me to go to Vanderbilt.”

Wright returns to the city where his basketball career took off. A high-profile prospect out of high school, he’s known around town as one of the greats, now looking to turn things around for the school he always wanted to suit up for.

“In the back of my mind I always wanted to go to LSU, so I was hoping they would reach out and they did. It was the first call I took once I entered the portal,” Wright said. “Coach McMahon came out to see me the next day in Nashville then flew down to see my parents the next day. He prioritized me.

“I believe in Coach McMahon’s vision. I want to put the purple and gold on. I want to come back home to LSU. I’m going to go out there and leave it out on the floor every chance that I get and cherish my time in Baton Rouge.”

McMahon’s Vision

Wright bought into what Coach McMahon was selling rather quickly. He understands he has the opportunity to come back home and make things right for the school he always wanted to represent.

But it takes a village. It’ll take a team effort from the coaching staff and the players. Wright believes this entire program has the chance to be special in 2023.

“The added bonus is the relationship I developed with Coach McMahon and his staff. I think it was better than I could have hoped for,” Wright said. “I knew they were going to be a good staff but they are really on top of things and I don’t think that the record reflected the caliber of staff.”

The Portal Process

Wright entered the portal after four years with Vanderbilt. He’s a seasoned veteran who’s played 124 college games with 74 starts. It’s a given that a player of his caliber with significant college experience would be highly sought after in the portal.

Once Wright entered his name, it was a free for all with over 35 schools reaching out to the dynamic, two-way guard.

“I probably had about 35 to 40 schools reach out, but after the first couple of days I chopped my list," Wright said. "I wanted to focus more on LSU, Arkansas, Kansas State, Texas A&M and Georgia. Those were my five schools I really liked.

“Arkansas came out to Nashville to see me. That was probably my second choice. I say it was my second choice but it wasn’t really close. I always knew I wanted to go to LSU.”

Embracing the Process

Wright played a major role in turning around Vanderbilt. He assisted Coach Stackhouse in turning a bottom tier program into a program of relevancy once again. How can he help McMahon do the same in Baton Rouge?

The Tigers return production from the 2022 season, and after a year in McMahon’s system, it could make all the difference in their second year. Adding Wright into the fold provides this program with another two-way star who can make an instant impact.

“The pieces that [LSU] has after having a year in McMahon’s system and having a year in the SEC. They have a lot of young guys with talent," Wright said. "Then with me, bringing my leadership and bringing guys together, I think that was something that they lacked this year and that’s something I’m looking to bring this season.

“Besides the on-court stuff, I think being a glue guy in the locker room and bringing all the guys together is most important for me.”

Recruiting Role

Talent wins games in the SEC. You need to develop a top tier roster in order to compete in a conference full of dynamic athletes. Wright has already taken on a major recruitment role with the Tigers despite being committed for less than 24 hours.

He’s been in the ear of Tulane transfer Jalen Cook. He’s spoken with graduate transfers. Alongside Coach McMahon, the duo will look to revamp this roster in a big way over the next few weeks.

“I’m recruiting [Jalen Cook] as hard as probably Coach McMahon and his staff are. I talk to him everyday. We’ve got that relationship," Wright said. "I would love to play with him again so I hope it works out so that he comes back to LSU. I definitely would like to see him put on that purple and gold.

“I’m going home for Easter so I’ll be going on campus to talk to a few guys trying to bring them in.”

Wright has the chance to come in and turn things around in his final year of eligibility. A hometown kid honored to represent the purple and gold, it’s a match made in heaven, and he’s locked in on getting back down to Louisiana to make things right.