A Louisiana judge has granted a temporary injunction allowing RJ Luis Jr., a standout college basketball player, to play for Louisiana State University (LSU) for the 2024-2025 season. The ruling came Monday from East Baton Rouge Parish District Court Judge Ronald R. Johnson, who determined that Luis, despite signing multiple NBA contracts, had not actually played professional basketball and should be permitted to return to college competition.

Luis, named the Big East Player of the Year for the 2024-2025 season, had declared for the 2025 NBA Draft after his junior season at St. John's, where he earned second-team All-American honors. He went undrafted but subsequently signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz, which later traded him to the Boston Celtics. He was then waived by the Celtics after appearing in preseason games. Luis never played in a regular-season NBA game.

His attorneys argued that Luis, 23, should have the same eligibility opportunities as international players who have played professionally overseas and later joined U.S. college teams. They emphasized his lack of professional experience, noting he did not play in regular-season NBA games and missed time with the Celtics' G League affiliate due to injury.

"The NCAA chose to allow schools to start paying players directly. It made that choice," stated Elliot Sol Abrams, one of Luis' attorneys, after the ruling. "It could’ve fought that but it chose not to and so when you create the NCAA now as a professional league and then you start drawing these arbitrary distinctions and saying, ‘This is too much or that’s too much,’ all of these things, every time someone challenges an arbitrary decision of the NCAA, the NCAA cries wolf."

NCAA attorney Taylor Askew contended that Luis’ situation was different from players who played for developmental teams of international professional leagues, as Luis had voluntarily left college for professional opportunities. Askew cited the case of Alabama's Charles Bediako, who played briefly under a temporary restraining order before being declared ineligible.

Judge Johnson's ruling stated that in the court's view, "[Luis] did not actually play professional basketball." The court also indicated that questions about whether Luis was fully informed of his options when he left college "lingers heavily before this court."

The decision could set a precedent for other athletes who have signed professional contracts but wish to return to college sports. Luis committed to LSU in May but was not yet eligible to play until the judge's ruling.

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) issued a statement following the decision, asserting that "College athletes, not former professional athletes, have been at the heart of the Southeastern Conference." The conference stated that individuals who leave college, sign professional contracts, and compete professionally should not be allowed to return, arguing it blurs the lines between college and professional sports and creates competitive equity concerns. The SEC also highlighted the need to advance the Protect College Sports Act.

Luis, a 6-foot-7 wing, joins an LSU team that currently has a limited roster. He averaged 18.2 points per game on 43.9% shooting in 35 games for St. John's during the 2024-25 season.

This case unfolds as LSU also anticipates a football addition with former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright, who was waived by the Cleveland Browns.