RJ Luis stuns college basketball with LSU commitment after NBA stint
RJ Luis, the 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year, has committed to LSU after a brief stint in professional basketball. The 23-year-old forward, who led St. John’s to conference titles last season, now returns to college despite recent NCAA eligibility challenges linked to his NBA contracts. Luis had a standout 2024-25 season at St. John’s, earning second-team All-American honours. He averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while guiding the Red Storm to both the Big East regular-season and tournament championships. The team secured a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament but fell to No. 10 Arkansas in the second round.
After declaring for the NBA draft, Luis signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz, making him ineligible for NCAA play under standard rules. He was later traded to the Boston Celtics, waived, and briefly joined their G League affiliate on an Exhibit 10 deal before being released again. His professional experience—though limited—initially barred his return to college basketball. Recent NCAA rule changes have opened doors for international players with overseas professional experience, provided they haven’t played in the US. Luis, who never suited up in an NBA or G League game, now qualifies under this exemption. His decision to return to college follows his observation that NBA earnings far exceed college compensation, though he has yet to secure a stable professional role. LSU’s addition of Luis reflects a broader trend in college basketball, where programs increasingly recruit older, experienced players through the transfer portal. His commitment adds immediate firepower to a team looking to compete at a high level next season.
Luis will bring proven scoring and leadership to LSU after dominating the Big East last year. His eligibility, granted under updated NCAA guidelines, allows him to bypass the usual restrictions tied to professional contracts. The move highlights how college basketball continues to adapt to the evolving landscape of player movement and eligibility rules.
