RJ Luis Jr. Declares for NBA Draft
RJ Luis Jr., a standout player from St. John’s University and the Big East Player of the Year, has confirmed he will stay in this year’s NBA draft, as reported by his agent Sam Permut of Roc Nation on Wednesday. The 6-foot-7 small forward has garnered significant attention, being recognized as the top player available in the NCAA transfer portal this off-season, attracting interest from elite programs such as North Carolina, Kansas, Ole Miss, Villanova, and Georgetown, who will now consider other options to finalize their rosters.
Season Highlights
Luis’s remarkable performance over the season saw him average 18.2 points, along with 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. His improvement in all aspects of the game, including defense and shooting, was particularly highlighted during the latter part of the season. Notably, he recorded standout performances, scoring 28 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in the regular-season conclusion against Marquette and later tallying 29 points with 10 rebounds in the Big East tournament championship versus Creighton.
In addition to claiming the title of Big East Player of the Year, Luis was awarded the Most Valuable Player of the Big East tournament as he played a pivotal role in leading St. John’s to victories in both the regular season and tournament.
NCAA Tournament Performance
However, his St. John’s tenure did not wrap up positively. Following a strong first-round showing in the NCAA tournament where he scored 22 points and netted five three-pointers against Omaha, Luis faced challenges in the subsequent round. He struggled significantly against Arkansas, shooting only 3-for-17 from the field and failing to achieve double-digit points for just the second time all season. Due to this performance, he was benched during the final moments of the Red Storm’s 75-66 defeat.
NBA Draft Combine and Background
Shortly after this game, he declared for the NBA draft while also entering the transfer portal. At the NBA draft combine, he showcased his skills, averaging 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, although his shooting was less than stellar, finishing with a 9-for-29 make rate from the field and only 3-for-10 from three-point range.
Originally from Miami, Luis started his collegiate journey at UMass before transferring to St. John’s for his sophomore season, where he previously averaged 10.9 points and 4.6 rebounds during his initial year with the Red Storm.
