A Louisiana judge has cleared former St. John’s standout RJ Luis Jr. to start practicing and potentially play for the LSU Tigers during the 2026-27 season wbal.com. East Baton Rouge Parish District Court judge Ronald R. Johnson issued the ruling on a Monday evening following a five-hour hearing wbal.com, crescentcitysports.com. Judge Johnson granted the player’s request for a preliminary injunction against the NCAA wbal.com, which had argued that Luis was unlikely to win reinstatement after leaving college to pursue a professional career in 2025 wbal.com, crescentcitysports.com.
Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction Clearing RJ Luis Jr. for LSU
Luis walked out of the 19th Judicial District Courthouse smiling alongside attorneys Tony Clayton and Elliot Abrams 247sports.com, wafb.com. This is precedent. It’s monumental,
Clayton said after the hearing wbal.com. Abrams added that the decision helps protect the future of a young man who has done nothing wrong,
according to wafb.com.
Legal Arguments and the NCAA Stance
The core eligibility battle centered on contracts and the distinction between professional and collegiate basketball. Luis entered the 2025 NBA Draft after averaging 18.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game for St. John’s during the 2024-25 season, earning Big East Player of the Year honors crescentcitysports.com. After going undrafted, the 6-foot-7 wing signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz, was traded to the Boston Celtics in August 2025, and was subsequently waived in October 247sports.com, crescentcitysports.com. He never appeared in a regular-season NBA game and did not play for Boston’s G League affiliate due to an injury wbal.com, crescentcitysports.com.
Attorneys representing Luis argued that the NCAA has routinely granted exceptions allowing players with professional experience in overseas leagues to join college basketball programs, and insisted that American players must be afforded the same opportunities wbal.com. Judge Johnson noted during his ruling that Luis did not actually play professional basketball, adding that whether Luis was properly advised of his options when leaving college lingers heavily before this court,
according to wbal.com.
NCAA attorney Taylor Askew countered that Luis’ situation involved choosing to leave college for the NBA, differentiating it from prospects who played on developmental squads overseas prior to college enrollment wbal.com, wafb.com. Ahead of the hearing, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey filed an affidavit asking the court to deny eligibility, warning that allowing athletes with professional careers to return to college would undermine athletic structures crescentcitysports.com, wafb.com. The SEC also released a statement expressing frustration shortly after the judge’s verdict wafb.com.
Impact on the LSU Tigers Roster
For head coach Will Wade and the LSU Tigers, the preliminary injunction provides an immediate boost as preparations continue for the upcoming season 247sports.com, crescentcitysports.com. Luis committed to LSU in May crescentcitysports.com and joins a roster that officially includes several other additions:
- Skyy Clark (Guard, UCLA) 247sports.com
- Donovan Dent (Guard, UCLA) 247sports.com
- Divine Ugochukwu (Guard, Michigan State) 247sports.com
- Abdi Bashir Jr. (Guard, Kansas State) 247sports.com
- Austin Nunez (Guard, UTSA) 247sports.com
- Mouhamed Diabete (Forward, Kentucky) 247sports.com
While the injunction allows Luis to play immediately, legal challenges could continue 247sports.com, wafb.com. The NCAA retains the option to request a stay to pause the injunction or pursue further appeals as the season approaches 247sports.com.
