Former RJ Luis may be heading back to college basketball in one of the most surprising stories of the offseason.
According to reports, the former St. John’s Red Storm star has signed with LSU Tigers men’s basketball — despite previously giving up his remaining NCAA eligibility when he entered the 2025 NBA Draft.
Luis, who won Big East Player of the Year honors after an outstanding junior season at St. John’s, averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game before declaring for the draft.
However, things quickly became complicated after he went undrafted.
Following the draft, Luis signed a two-way deal with the Utah Jazz in June, though he never appeared in an NBA game. He was later traded to the Boston Celtics in a deal involving Georges Niang, but failed to secure a permanent roster spot and was eventually waived in October.
Luis was expected to join Boston’s G-League affiliate afterward, but a surgery kept him sidelined and altered his path yet again.
Now, LSU is reportedly betting on the possibility that Luis can regain NCAA eligibility through legal action.
Because he officially forfeited his eligibility when entering the draft process, it’s widely expected that Luis will need to file a lawsuit or seek a court order in hopes of being reinstated by the NCAA.
Recent cases suggest there may still be a pathway.
James Nnaji was allowed to play for Baylor Bears men’s basketball this past season despite being drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 2023. Meanwhile, Charles Bediako briefly returned to Alabama Crimson Tide men’s basketball after going undrafted, though he was later ruled ineligible once his temporary restraining order expired.
Whether Luis can successfully follow a similar path remains unclear.
If he is cleared to play, though, it would be a major boost for LSU after a disappointing 15-17 season. The Tigers have largely been absent from early preseason Top 25 discussions, but adding a proven high-level scorer like Luis could dramatically improve their outlook heading into the new season.
It would also mark another major chapter in the rapidly changing landscape of college athletics, where NCAA eligibility rules continue facing legal challenges from players seeking additional opportunities after professional pursuits.
