Skylar Mays considers his future after an abrupt conclusion to a successful career with the LSU basketball team and…

Skylar Mays considers his future after an abrupt conclusion to a successful career with the LSU basketball team.

Being a unique four-year player for the LSU basketball team, Skylar Mays went through more hardship than most college athletes do.

• The native of Baton Rouge had a 10–21 season as a freshman, which cost coach Johnny Jones his job.

• After breaking his thumb during practice on his shooting hand, Mays played three complete games at the conclusion of his sophomore season.

• Wayde Sims, a close friend and teammate, passed away at the beginning of his junior year, and coach Will Wade was suspended for the last five games.

The coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the Southeastern Conference tournament five days after he bid farewell to LSU supporters before his last home game. About four and a half hours later, the NCAA tournament was canceled, ending his collegiate career.

Just like that, it was over for Mays, who forever endeared himself to LSU fans with his smarts in the classroom and dedication, hard work, hustle and enthusiasm on the court.

“Yeah, it was quick,” Mays said Wednesday. “It was kind of weird because we had practice Thursday morning, and we were pretty much talking among ourselves about who was going to win between South Carolina and Arkansas.”

Third-seeded LSU, which earned a double-bye into Friday’s quarterfinals, was going to play the winner of Thursday night’s second-round matchup between those two teams.