A Recruiting Gamble for the Tigers
LSU basketball coach Will Wade has added former St. John's guard RJ Luis to his roster, a move that could reshape the Tigers' frontcourt for the upcoming season. Wade, known for his aggressive recruiting, indicated that the team will concentrate its resources on a handful of high‑profile players, with Luis positioned as the sixth newcomer.
Luis arrives after an impressive college career that included a 18.2‑point, 7.2‑rebound average at St. John's, where he earned Big East Player of the Year honors and was named a second‑team AP All‑American. Although undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft and previously limited to the NBA G‑League, his performance has kept him on the radar of several programs. The NCAA has a history of declaring athletes ineligible in comparable transfer scenarios, and Luis may have to file a lawsuit to secure his eligibility at LSU.
The Tigers' roster overhaul follows a turbulent period in which all nine of the team's remaining scholarship players entered the transfer portal after the departure of former coach Matt McMahon. In addition to Luis, the incoming class features Mo Dioubate, Marcio Santos, Divine Ugochukwu, Abdi Bashir and Austin Nunez, each of whom brings a different skill set to the mix.
Wade said the coaching staff will prioritize the development of the most talented pieces, a strategy that reflects both the competitive pressure of the SEC and the program’s ambition to return to the national spotlight. The move also underscores the growing intersection of college basketball, legal challenges, and the evolving landscape of player movement.