Key Takeaways
- RJ Luis, the 2025 Big East Player of the Year from St. John’s, has committed to LSU after entering the NCAA Transfer Portal.
- After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, Luis signed a two‑way deal with the Utah Jazz, was traded to the Boston Celtics, waived in October, and later signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics’ G‑League affiliate without appearing in a game.
- Luis is presently deemed ineligible to play college basketball; he plans to file a lawsuit to regain eligibility.
- His situation mirrors a growing trend of former professional players—such as James Nnaji (Baylor) and Charles Bediako (Alabama)—attempting to return to college after NBA or overseas stints, with mixed results.
- The move comes amid broader uncertainty over eligibility rules in college basketball, prompting several athletes to test the boundaries of the transfer portal and NCAA regulations.
RJ Luis, who earned second‑team All‑America honors and was named the Big East Player of the Year in 2025, has decided to revive his collegiate career by joining LSU. Luis entered the transfer portal last spring while navigating the NBA draft process, and his commitment to the Tigers comes as part of a larger wave of players reassessing their eligibility status amid shifting NCAA rules.
After a standout senior season at St. John’s, Luis forwent his final year of college eligibility to declare for the 2024 NBA Draft. He went undrafted, but the Utah Jazz offered him a two‑way contract in June 2024. The arrangement allowed him to split time between the NBA squad and its G‑League affiliate. In August, the Jazz traded Luis to the Boston Celtics as part of a package that included forward Georges Niang. The Celtics subsequently waived him in October, ending his brief NBA tenure.
Following his release, Luis signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics’ G‑League team, the Maine Celtics. Exhibit 10 deals are non‑guaranteed training‑camp contracts that can be converted into a two‑way deal if the player impresses during the preseason. Luis, however, did not appear in any G‑League games, and the contract expired without a conversion.
With his professional prospects stalled, Luis is now looking to return to the amateur ranks. He hopes to follow a path similar to that of Bryson Warren, the former Overtime Elite guard who skipped college entirely, played for the Westchester Knicks in the G‑League, and then committed to Texas A&M earlier this spring. Warren averaged 19.8 points and 5.0 assists per game before his collegiate commitment, illustrating that a stint in professional basketball does not necessarily preclude a later return to school.
Nevertheless, Luis faces a significant hurdle: the NCAA currently does not consider him eligible to compete at the college level. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Luis will likely file a lawsuit to challenge this determination and seek reinstatement of his eligibility. His case echoes those of other former professionals who have attempted similar comebacks. James Nnaji, an early second‑round pick by the Detroit Pistons in the 2023 draft, spent several years playing overseas before suiting up for Baylor in the 2023‑24 season, appearing in 18 games. Conversely, Charles Bediako, who also entered the 2023 draft and went undrafted, tried to join Alabama for the 2023‑24 campaign. He managed only five games before being ruled ineligible, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the NCAA’s eligibility standards for players with professional experience.
The broader context is a period of flux in college basketball eligibility. Recent rule changes, combined with the rise of the transfer portal and the growing prevalence of G‑League and overseas opportunities, have led many athletes to test the limits of what constitutes “amateur” status. Luis’s decision to pursue a lawsuit reflects a willingness to challenge the existing framework, potentially setting a precedent for future players who wish to move between professional and collegiate basketball.
As the situation develops, LSU’s coaching staff and compliance office will be monitoring the legal proceedings closely. If Luis succeeds in regaining eligibility, he would bring a wealth of professional experience—and the accolades of a Big East Player of the Year—to the Tigers’ roster, potentially providing an immediate impact on the court. If the lawsuit fails, his attempt to reboot his college career may end before it begins, adding another cautionary tale to the growing list of athletes navigating the complex intersection of professional sports and college athletics.
The story will continue to evolve as legal filings are made, NCAA rulings are issued, and LSU adjusts its roster plans accordingly. Stakeholders across the basketball world—coaches, compliance officers, players, and fans—will be watching closely to see how this high‑profile case shapes the future of eligibility rules and the feasibility of professional‑to‑college transitions in men’s basketball.