Even as some sense of normalcy has returned to the LSU women’s basketball team, there is still drama for the Lady Tigers.
Junior guard Kateri Poole is no longer with the team, according to LSU head coach Kim Mulkey.
“She’s no longer with us,” Mulkey said after an 83-53 home win Sunday over Louisiana, while adding that Poole will not be rejoining the team.
While LSU is 9-1 and ranked seventh entering Monday, the Lady Tigers’ national title defense has been anything but smooth so far this year.
They recently welcomed back 2023 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Angel Reese, who missed four games earlier this year for reasons that have not been divulged.
Outkick reported that Reese was suspended to provide an “attitude adjustment.”
Now, Poole is leaving the team for undisclosed reasons.
The junior did not play due to a “coach’s decision” on Nov. 14 against Kent State for a “coach’s decision,” per Mulkey, but then returned to play just five minutes against Southeastern Louisiana.
Sunday’s win marked her fifth straight absence.
Poole, who began her career at Ohio State, played in 35 games for LSU last season, averaging 4.5 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 points per game in 22.3 minutes.
Her LSU bio praises her for her role in LSU’s national title win over Iowa.
“Came up big for the Tigers in the National Championship game (sic) against Iowa, making both of her three point attempts, including the dagger with 1:11 left in the game to prevent any chance of an Iowa comeback,” her bio reads.
Poole averaged just two points. 1.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists this season, while her minutes were nearly reduced in half.
The Bronx native played for South Shore High School in Brooklyn, and was a former five-star recruit and the No. 24 prospect, according to ESPN’s rankings.
LSU is also dealing with a season-ending absence for Sa’Myah Smith, and prized offseason transfer Hailey Van Lith is sidelined with plantar fasciitis.
“Any time you lose any player for any reason, your depth becomes smaller,” Mulkey said. “ But I still think we have plenty.”
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