Andrew Carl Del Piero

Age: 22
Occupation: Center, LSU Basketball
Hometown: Austin, Texas

To think that Andrew Del Piero is looking at professional basketball options after his LSU career ends this season almost boggles the mind. But going from the marching band to marching down the court, that’s just how amazing the story of this 7-foot, 2-inch young man is.

“It’s so much easier now when people ask me if I play basketball and being able to say, ‘Yes,’” he says.

He came to Baton Rouge from Austin, Texas, following his brother to LSU on a music scholarship, likely the tallest tuba player in any band anywhere. The previous coaching staff discovered him and invited the towering musician to join the Tigers as a walk-on, a project. He hadn’t played ball since ninth grade.

Now, first-year coach Johnny Jones not only writes him into the starting lineup, Del Piero’s presence drew this from Florida Coach Billy Donovan, who has won two NCAA titles: “Unbelievable. He’s a really effective player.”

Del Piero doesn’t get to play the tuba much anymore, nor the bass guitar, either. “I don’t really have as much time for that as I’d like,” he says with a laugh. “I’m busy doing other things these days.”

Indeed.

Coach Jones says Del Piero’s got a great sense of humor. He adds, “He’s a tremendous person and will be very successful in whatever endeavors he engages in.”

Del Piero is set to graduate in May, and he wants to play pro ball somewhere, in the NBA or otherwise. He’s definitely looking ahead, but with a huge appreciation of what he’s done to this point.

“I know I’ve come so far,” he says, “but I also know I have so much room for improvement. But it’s exciting. Exciting is the only word I can think of to explain how I think about everything.”