After a complete offseason rebuild, LSU basketball has its roster for the 2026-27 season.

Coach Will Wade and his staff took an abnormal route to find a new group of players to rep purple and gold. Most of the roster is comprised of international players and fifth-year seniors exhausting their college eligibility. While there is a lot of basketball experience, there’s a new face in every corner of the Tigers’ locker room.

With so many new faces, having a spark coming off the bench or serving as a key sixth man is key for a team developing chemistry. The Tigers have just that in 7-foot center Michael Ruzic, who brings more overseas experience to their roster. Here are three things to know about the Tigers' freshman Croatian center.

A potential NBA Draft pick

When Ruzic was 16 years old, the buzz had started surrounding his potential of making it to the NBA. At the 2023 Adidas EuroCamp, he was widely regarded at one of the premier showcases for international prospects in Europe. The Adidas EuroCamp has become a breeding ground for discoving overseas talent, including Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic.

Ruzic averaged 12 points and four rebounds over three games at the Adidas EuroCamp while shooting 73% from the field and an impressive 71% from deep. Since then, Ruzic has continued to grow into his 7-foot and 240-pound frame. Now 20, Ruzic has legitimate positional size and is key example of a potential rotational big man in the NBA.

Ruzic comes from an Olympian family

There was no question that Ruzic would be an athlete. Outside of his tall stature and long wingspan, he comes from a line of Olympians but not in the sport many would guess.

Ruzic’s mother, Barbara, is considered one of the best Croatian volleyball players of all time. His grandfather, Ivica Jelic, was also a volleyball player, competing in the 1980 Summer Olympics. His aunt, Vesna Jelic, also competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Be like Mike

Despite his named being pronounced as Mik-kel according to Wade in a Nov. 2 postgame presser, Ruzic ‘s first name stems from two legends also named Michael. Ruzic was named after NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordon and former German racing driver Michael Schumacher, who competed in Formula One from 1991-2012.

With a first name of Michael, his size and the history of his father, Tomislav Ruzic, with the sport, he was fated to become a hooper. According to his father in an article from FIBA, ever since Michael could walk and hold the ball, he has loved the game.