Abdi Bashir could be one of the best 3-point shooters ever to wear an LSU jersey.
The 6-foot-7 senior guard not only shot 44.4% from beyond the arc on 8.4 attempts per game last season in 18 contests, but he’s also a career 39.9% 3-point shooter on 614 attempts across 84 games.
Unsurprisingly, coach Will Wade said in a statement that Bashir possesses “elite shooting ability” and will be “an important part of our perimeter moving forward.”
The Kansas State transfer averaged 13.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 turnovers in 18 games before suffering a stress fracture in his foot on Jan. 17 against Oklahoma.
Here’s a quick 🧵 on LSU guard Abdi
Bashir.
The 6-7 Kansas State transfer is an elite 3-point shooter. Unreal,
44.4% from 3 on 8.4 attempts in 18 games as a junior. Deep range
even on off-the-dribble 3s
Clip 1: Movement 3s + catch and shoots
Clip 2: Off-the-dribble 3s pic.twitter.com/2B4wuksj7w
— Toyloy Brown III (@TJ3rd_)
May 20, 2026
Special shooter
Expecting Bashir to be the best shooter in the Southeastern Conference, and one of the best in college basketball isn’t hyperbolic.
Few players attempted as many 3s as he did while maintaining high efficiency. He led the nation with 18½ 3-point attempts per 100 possessions last season and shot a remarkable percentage in his shortened year.
During the 2024-25 season at Monmouth, he led the country in 3-point attempts per 100 possessions (18.0) and made 38.3%. His 127 made 3s ranked second nationally, trailing only Honor Huff, who made 131 in two more games played
Beyond the numbers, Bashir’s shooting talent shows in his audacity. A shooter of his caliber rarely gets clean, standstill looks, so he routinely took high‑difficulty attempts in the half-court and in transition.
Bashir sprints around off‑ball screens and dribble handoffs for movement 3s. At both Monmouth and Kansas State, coaches trusted him to take and make off‑balance shots. His constant movement will be valuable on sideline and baseline out‑of‑bounds plays.
His delicate shooting touch pairs with a smooth, one‑motion release. His consistency as a shooter remained even over contests thanks to a high release point at 6-7.
When defenders chased him over screens, Bashir was comfortable pump‑faking, letting a defender fly by and drilling jumpers. He can create space with a one‑dribble sidestep and chain some more complex moves to help get to a step‑back to his left for a 3-pointer.
Bashir also shoots from distance. The Omaha, Nebraska, native regularly shot from NBA range and sometimes farther without altering his mechanics. The marksmanship translates to the free‑throw line, too, where he’s an 83.8% career shooter.
On nights when he’s cold, he’ll never hesitate. The lack of conscience from 3 will force defenders to be glued to him, creating openings for his LSU teammates.
Physical limitations
It’s fair to wonder why a shooter of Bashir’s caliber was ranked only No. 122 player in the transfer portal by 247Sports. While that ranking possibly underrates him, he’s not an elite player because of his lack of physicality.
The 22‑year‑old was listed at 175 pounds at Kansas State, and his slight frame affects him on both ends. Despite being a capable dribbler, he’s not strong enough to withstand heavy pressure on drives. It was rare for him to attempt and finish layups, making just 6 of 14 shots at the rim last season and finishing 37 of 89 the year before.
A 41.6% rim field‑goal percentage at the mid‑major level is concerning when projecting how he’ll fare in the Southeastern Conference. His limited shot creation inside the arc is linked to his below‑average athleticism.
He was one of 13 high‑major players between 6-7 and 6-8 with no dunks last season. This wasn’t a fluke in his shortened year. He has zero dunk attempts in his entire college career. For comparison, former LSU guard Max Mackinnon, who had no dunks in 31 games last season, still made 1 of 3 dunks in his three seasons prior.
Bashir’s lack of vertical pop and strength could make him a defensive liability at times. Stronger guards and wings can drive through his chest. Even though he defends with some effort, he doesn’t have the instincts to disrupt plays. He has only two blocks and 32 steals in his career.
The same limitations affect his rebounding. He has just four career games with five or more rebounds, all against mid‑major opponents.
Bashir offsets some of his deficiencies with good ball security. He posted a 2.1 assist‑to‑turnover ratio last season and can accurately pass the ball to the rollers in pick-and-roll situations.
Final verdict
Bashir’s lack of bulk and athletic juice will show against top competition. It’s unrealistic to expect LSU’s strength and conditioning staff to meaningfully improve his physical makeup.
However, even if his weaknesses remain, he can still be a net positive for Wade. His shooting is too stellar not to make 3s and create space for others. He’ll have stretches where he won’t miss even against opponents who adhere to the scouting report.
Based on LSU’s current roster, Bashir is more likely to start at shooting guard. If he stays healthy, he could shatter Anthony Wilson’s program record for made 3-pointers (95), set during the 1986-87 season.