LSU basketball signs former Big East Player of the Year to 2026-27 roster, per report
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Will Wade is determined to build a winning roster through every avenue available to him.
On Tuesday morning, Wade and the LSU reportedly signed former St. John’s forward RJ Luis Jr. to the Tigers’ 2026-27 roster. The All-American forward played in the NBA G-League last season after being signed to a 2-way deal by the Utah Jazz and subsequently traded to the Celtics, where he was cut soon after. Luis went undrafted in 2025.
Keep in mind that Luis will still need to be approved by the NCAA to return to college basketball next season. Luis only played 3 years in college, but since he has signed an NBA contract LSU will need to find a friendly judge to see him in Purple and Gold. Such attempts to admit players with a signed NBA contract have been denied by the NCAA in the past.
If (and it’s surely a big ‘if’) Wade can pull off a miracle and get Luis to LSU, it’s a fantastic addition. Luis started his career at UMass but was a star for St. Johns, earning the 2025 Big East Player of the Year award for his efforts his. He averaged 18.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 stocks per game with the Red Storm his junior season before opting to take a swing at the pro route.
LSU has added multiple players to its 2026-27 roster, including Mo Dioubate (Kentucky), Divine Ugochukwu (Michigan State), Marcio Santos (international), Abdi Bashir Jr. (Kansas State) and, just yesterday, Austin Nunez out of UTSA.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
