Cedric Russell (Photo: Melinda Martinez/[email protected])

Cedric Russell, the nation’s No. 5 combo guard in the Class of 2017, committed to LSU in September 2014.

But 18 months later, he’s now looking at other options. Russell, from Peabody (Alexandria, La.) has reopened his recruitment, his godfather told Rivals.com.

“As you get closer to actually getting on campus, you want to look at what’s a good basketball fit for you. Looking at that we decided that maybe we need to see some more options,” Derrick Kirk told Rivals.com. “He still loves LSU and he’s still considering them, but he wants to be out there and seeing that all of his options are available.”

Kirk also indicated that the 6-3 Russell might have additional options after he plays more point guard during the summer with his AAU team and also will likely see more time at the point next season with Peabody. That could make him a more attractive option to some schools at the next level.

He averaged 23 points per game as a junior and shot 52 percent from the field.

Before his commitment, he had received interest from Vanderbilt, Oklahoma State, Baylor and Alabama-Birmingham, although coaching turnover at this programs could mean he would need to restart the process.

Simmons’ decommitment continues a rough patch for the LSU program with the expected departure of Ben Simmons, the announcement by Tim Quarterman that he was signing with an agent and Antonio Blakeney’s decision to explore the NBA, though he could return. The Tigers also lost top assistant coach David Patrick to TCU and new coach Jamie Dixon.