It’s a warm April morning when the basketball world catches fire again—two former top 40 high school recruits, once the crown jewels of LSU’s 2023 class, have officially found new homes. Their journeys, once full of promise under Baton Rouge’s lights, are now rerouted through unexpected roads that just might revive their dormant potential.
Elijah “EJ” Brooks, ranked #27 nationally out of Chicago, had come to LSU with the swagger of a street poet and the footwork of a ballet dancer. At 6’6″ with a 6’10” wingspan, he was a two-way wing many believed could be a one-and-done. But the system never fit. The Tigers’ offense was stagnant, and Brooks often found himself standing in the corner, waiting for passes that never came. He averaged just 6.2 points, and scouts stopped showing up by December.
Now, he’s headed west—Brooks announced on Instagram Live, in front of a wall of Jordan sneakers, that he’s transferring to Arizona State. The Sun Devils’ new head coach, a former NBA assistant known for unlocking wing scorers, reportedly promised to build the offense around Brooks’s isolation skillset and transition dominance. “I’m going where I can be me,” Brooks said. “Fast, fearless, and free.”
Meanwhile, Terrance Holloway, LSU’s other top-40 gem (#35), had a different kind of story. A 6’10” power forward from Norfolk, Virginia, he was a bruiser with soft touch and a surprisingly polished post game. But in LSU’s switch-heavy defensive schemes and pick-and-pop offense, Holloway never found rhythm. He got buried in the rotation, overshadowed by upperclassmen, and saw his minutes drop to single digits.
He kept quiet during the season, but his exit made noise. Holloway is transferring to UConn, the reigning national powerhouse known for revitalizing big men with skill and grit. “We don’t promise starting spots,” UConn coach Jon Michaels said. “But we develop NBA players. Terrance can be one.” Holloway, already training at Storrs, is reportedly down 15 pounds and moving with fresh aggression. The Huskies believe he can be their next dominant rim-runner, anchoring a defense and scoring in the paint with both hands.
The LSU faithful are left stunned. Two of the most hyped recruits in recent memory—gone, without ever really arriving. Some blame the coaching staff, others the players themselves. But most agree: neither got the chance they deserved.
For Brooks and Holloway, this transfer isn’t just a change of jersey—it’s a rebirth. New systems, new coaches, new expectations. The pressure hasn’t vanished, but it’s shifted. The noise of the SEC is behind them, replaced by quieter gyms where they’ll be asked to lead, not follow.
Whether they rise or falter, one thing is certain: the story of LSU’s lost stars isn’t over. It’s just turning the page.
