RJ Luis Jr., a former standout player at St. John’s who recently signed with LSU after stints with two NBA teams, received court approval Monday evening to begin practicing and potentially compete for the Tigers this season. Although Luis was briefly under contract with the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics, he never appeared in an NBA game. Following the ruling by East Baton Rouge Parish District Court judge Ronald R. Johnson, Luis embraced LSU coach Will Wade.
After a five-hour hearing, Judge Johnson granted Luis a preliminary injunction against the NCAA, which had argued that Luis was unlikely to regain eligibility after leaving college to turn professional in 2025. Baton Rouge attorney Tony Clayton, representing Luis alongside Elliot Abrams of Raleigh, North Carolina, called the ruling “precedent” and “monumental,” emphasizing it allows Luis to practice and play while the legal process continues.
The timeline for the ongoing legal proceedings remains uncertain. Clayton said, “I don’t know, but there’s a lot of discovery that Elliot and I have to obtain. We’ve got a lot of questions.” Luis’ lawyers highlighted NCAA exceptions for numerous international professional players who were allowed to join college basketball teams and argued that similar opportunities should be extended to American players.
They pointed out that Luis had never played in an actual NBA game and didn’t compete for the Celtics’ G League team due to injury, leaving his professional record far less extensive than that of many international recruits. On the other side, NCAA attorney Taylor Askew contended that Luis’s case differed from those of players on overseas pro developmental teams because Luis chose to leave college to go pro in the NBA.
Askew referenced Alabama’s Charles Bediako, who was granted a temporary restraining order enabling him to play five games before a judge upheld the NCAA’s ineligibility ruling. “I understand Mr. Luis is disappointed that he was not drafted and did not play in the NBA as much as he would have liked,” Askew said. “Actions have consequences. Decisions have outcomes, and they’re not always the right ones or the ones you want.”
In his decision, Judge Johnson stated, “In the court’s mind, [Luis] did not actually play professional basketball,” and expressed concern about whether Luis received proper advice when he left college, noting that question “lingers heavily before this court.”
Reporting by The Associated Press.
Fan Take: This ruling could signal a major shift in NCAA eligibility standards, offering American players more flexibility similar to international athletes. It’s a development basketball fans should watch closely, as it may pave the way for more talented players to return to college hoops after brief professional experiences, enriching the sport’s competitive landscape.
Source: www.foxsports.com
