Will Wade Seeks Eligibility Waiver for RJ Luis at LSU

LSU men's basketball coach Will Wade is attempting to add former St. John's star RJ Luis Jr. to his roster, a move that immediately raises significant eligibility questions and has drawn sharp criticism from within the sport. Luis, the 2025 Big East Player of the Year, recently spent time under NBA contracts, a status that typically bars a return to college competition.

The 23-year-old guard declared for the NBA draft after his junior season, went undrafted, and signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz. He was later traded to the Boston Celtics, who assigned him to their G League affiliate. Luis was waived in November 2025 after suffering a groin injury that required surgery, having never appeared in an NBA or G League game. NCAA rules explicitly state that athletes who sign agreements with NBA teams are not eligible for reinstatement, meaning Luis cannot currently play for the Tigers.

Luis is expected to petition the NCAA for a waiver and may file a lawsuit in an attempt to gain eligibility, following a path similar to former Alabama center Charles Bediako. Last season, Bediako obtained a temporary restraining order that allowed him to play five games for the Crimson Tide...