RJ Luis is ineligible after signing NBA contract. But he committed to LSU anyway

RJ Luis, a former St. John's guard and 2025 Big East Player of the Year, has agreed to join LSU's men's basketball program for the 2026-27 season under head coach Will Wade. However, Luis is currently ineligible to play due to having signed a two-way NBA contract with the Utah Jazz and an Exhibit 10 deal with the Boston Celtics after going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft. Luis played two seasons at St. John's under Rick Pitino, leading the team to a No. 2 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament and a Big East Tournament title during his junior year. He averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, earning second-team All-American honors. The NCAA's eligibility rules explicitly bar reinstatement for players who have signed NBA contracts, including two-way agreements. In a recent memo, the NCAA reaffirmed its stance, stating it will not grant eligibility to those who have 'entered an agreement with, competed on, or received compensation from' NBA teams. This position was reiterated by NCAA President Charlie Baker during the Charles Bediako eligibility case at Alabama, where Bediako played five games before a court ruling reversed his temporary eligibility. Bediako’s case serves as a potential precedent for Luis. After declaring for the 2023 NBA Draft and going undrafted, Bediako signed a G-League contract and played 82 games before returning to Alabama. A Tuscaloosa County judge initially granted him a temporary restraining order to play, but the ruling was later reversed, leaving his eligibility in legal limbo. Luis’s situation remains unresolved, with no immediate clarity on whether he will be granted eligibility. The NCAA’s firm stance on NBA signees suggests challenges ahead, though legal or procedural exceptions—like those explored in Bediako’s case—could alter the outcome. LSU’s commitment to Luis signals confidence in his talent, but his ability to compete will depend on NCAA rulings or court decisions.