RJ Luis Jr. Wins Court Battle, Gets Inexperienced Mild to Play College Basketball at LSU

RJ Luis Jr. has gained a key court docket battle, giving the previous St. John’s star non permanent clearance to play school basketball for LSU regardless of signing a number of skilled contracts.

RJ Luis Jr. Wins Key Court Battle

East Baton Rouge Parish District Court Judge Ronald R. Johnson granted Luis a brief injunction Monday. After the ruling, Luis hugged LSU coach Will Wade, marking an essential step in his return to school basketball.

According to the NY Post, the choice follows a five-hour listening to over Luis’ eligibility. The NCAA argued that Luis shouldn’t be allowed to return to school after leaving St. John’s for knowledgeable basketball profession. His attorneys mentioned his scenario was totally different as a result of he by no means performed in a regular-season NBA recreation.

Johnson mentioned that, within the court docket’s view, Luis “did not actually play professional basketball.” The choose additionally mentioned questions on whether or not Luis was correctly suggested about his choices when he left school weighed closely within the resolution.

Luis grew to become a serious school basketball star at St. John’s through the 2024-25 season. He averaged 18.2 factors and seven.2 rebounds over 35 video games and earned Big East Player of the Year honors together with second-team All-American recognition.

RJ Luis Jr. Gets Chance to Return to College Basketball

He went undrafted within the 2025 NBA Draft however continued chasing his skilled alternative.

Luis signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz earlier than later becoming a member of the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate on an Exhibit 10 contract after a commerce, ESPN reported. He noticed preseason motion however by no means performed in an NBA regular-season recreation. He additionally didn’t play within the G League due to an harm.

Luis dedicated to LSU in May, however his eligibility remained unsure till Monday’s ruling.

His attorneys argued that the NCAA has allowed some gamers who performed professionally abroad to return to school basketball. They mentioned American gamers ought to obtain the identical alternative.

NCAA legal professional Taylor Askew disagreed, saying Luis made the selection to depart school for skilled basketball and that choices have penalties.

The ruling might have results past LSU. Luis’ case could encourage different gamers who signed skilled contracts however didn’t set up themselves as skilled gamers to problem NCAA eligibility guidelines.

Elliot Sol Abrams, certainly one of Luis’ attorneys, mentioned the ruling shouldn’t be seen as the top of the NCAA.

Tony Clayton, one other legal professional for Luis, referred to as the choice “monumental” and mentioned it permits Luis to apply and play whereas the authorized course of continues.