LSU’s Ben Simmons to enter NBA draft

Louisiana State freshman forward Ben Simmons, who led the Tigers in scoring, rebounds and assists this season, has decided to turn pro and relinquish his final three seasons of college eligibility.

“We knew that there was a great possibility that Ben would only be at LSU for one season,” Coach Johnny Jones said Monday. “And if you are going to have a guy to do that, Ben was the perfect one because of how much of a team player he is. We are happy about the development that transpired during his time here and think he will continue to make great strides as he transitions into the NBA.

Simmons, who initially announced his decision in an interview with ESPN, said he will soon hire an agent and enter the NBA draft, for which Simmons has been widely projected as a top overall pick.

Simmons, who grew up in Australia before moving to Florida for three years of high school at Montverde Academy, averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists this season with LSU.

“Ben was a tremendous teammate and a great competitor,” Jones said. “He brought a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm to our team and did an outstanding job of making those around him better. That’s something that this team will benefit from as we go forward.”

Dixon is leaving Pitt for TCU

Jamie Dixon is leaving Pittsburgh to become head coach at Texas Christian, where he played in the 1980s.

Scott Barnes, Pittsburgh’s athletic director, said Monday that Dixon was taking the job at TCU and had already met with Panthers players to tell them.

The 50-year-old Dixon had a contract with Pitt until 2023 with a buyout that was believed to be about $10 million.

TCU will introduce Dixon as its new coach during a news conference Tuesday.

Dixon replaces Trent Johnson, who was fired a week ago with two years left on his contract.

NIT

Tyler Cavanaugh had 22 points and 12 rebounds, Patricio Garino scored 19 on eight-for-12 shooting and George Washington beat Monmouth, 87-71, on Monday night in New Jersey to advance to its first NIT quarterfinal. Fourth-seeded George Washington (25-10) will host No. 2 seed Florida (21-14) on Wednesday. … Adam Smith made five three-pointers and scored 21 points, Marcus Georges-Hunt had 14 points and eight assists and Georgia Tech beat South Carolina, 83-66, at Columbia, S.C., in the second round of the NIT. Georgia Tech advanced to the quarterfinals on Wednesday for the first time since 2003.

Etc.

Larry Shyatt, whose 43 years of coaching basketball has included 11 years as a head coach, has resigned as head coach at Wyoming. Allen Edwards, who has been an assistant coach under Shyatt the last five seasons, was named the new head coach. … Florida State freshman guard Malik Beasley announced that he will enter the NBA draft. The 6-foot-5 Beasley was third among freshmen in scoring in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season, averaging 15.6 points per game. … Oklahoma State has hired Stephen F. Austin coach Brad Underwood as its men’s basketball coach. Oklahoma State will formally introduce Underwood on Wednesday. The school parted ways with Travis Ford last week.