Brice Dessert joins LSU after buyout

Brice Dessert, a 23-year-old French center who is 2.12 meters tall, has received approval from the NCAA to join Louisiana State University (LSU) for the 2026-2027 season. He had previously signed a contract with Anadolu Efes Istanbul that was set to last until 2029.

Buyout cost is confirmed

Dessert had to negotiate a buyout of 750,000 dollars to leave Anadolu Efes, according to Eurohoops. The club will receive this amount, approximately 645,000 euros, to allow him to join LSU. It is usually the player's responsibility to cover such costs, though the media did not specify who will pay in this case.

Contract and performance details

Dessert signed a four-season contract with Anadolu Efes in the summer of 2025 after playing for SIG Strasbourg. In his first EuroLeague season, he averaged 5.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 13 minutes of play. His move to the NCAA was made conditional on the buyout, as stated by Alper Yılmaz, the club's general coordinator.

NCAA eligibility and future plans

Dessert has only one season of NCAA eligibility, meaning his collegiate career is expected to end in the spring of 2027. This is different from many other European players who may have multiple seasons available. Anadolu Efes retains contractual rights for the 2027-2028 season, with a potential return to Istanbul anticipated after his time in the U.S.

LSU's team and upcoming match

At LSU, Dessert will play under coach Will Wade alongside Croatian player Michael Ružić and Mouhamed Dioubate, who recently joined from Kentucky. LSU is set to face Florida State in a preseason match, marking the start of Dessert's new collegiate journey.

Similar cases reported

This case is not unique, as Eurohoops reported that Virtus Bologna will receive a 500,000-dollar buyout for 22-year-old Italian player Saliou Niang, who is also joining LSU. Unlike Dessert, Niang has multiple seasons of NCAA eligibility. Both cases highlight the financial implications of recruiting players already under contract with European clubs.