LAKE CHARLES – New McNeese men's basketball head coach Bill Armstrong added some size to the roster on Wednesday with the announcement of 6-foot-10, 235-pound SMU transfer forward Jerrell Colbert.
 
Colbert becomes the second Power 4 Conference signee by Armstrong, joining Oklahoma transfer Jacolb Fredson-Cole. The duo joins returners Javohn Garcia, DJ Richards Jr., T'Johnn Brown and Howard Gaskins as the roster continues to fill up for a run at a third-straight Southland Conference championship.
 
"Adding Jerrell to our roster ensures we can play the game the way we envision," said Armstrong. "He embodies everything we value in a post player—a rare combination of athleticism, length, and speed that will have an immediate impact on both ends of the floor. As a true rim protector, he'll elevate our defense and enhance our pressure schemes. Offensively, his speed is a major asset, enabling us to consistently attack in transition and keep pressure on the rim."
 
Colbert played in 33 of 35 games at SMU last season, averaging 2.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and just under a blocked shot a game. Prior to SMU, the Houston native played two seasons at Kansas State, redshirting his first year.
 
Rated as a consensus Top 150 prospect out of Houston High School in Germantown, Tenn., where he played his senior season in 2020-21, he was also ranked as 4-star recruit by Rivals. Additionally, he rated as the No. 134 national prospect by 247Sports, along with the 20^th-best center and the third-best player in the state of Tennessee.
 
Helped lead Houston High School to their first-ever Class 3A State Championship in 2020-21 while playing for former NBA player Mike Miller and signed with LSU to begin his college career.
 
"I truly enjoyed coaching Jerrell early in his career at LSU. I'm excited for the opportunity to continue guiding his growth and development," said Armstrong.
 
Held 17 high-major offers out of high school, including Arkansas, Baylor, Cal, Houston, Memphis, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest, before selecting LSU.