LSU fans and roster planners have a new date to circle: RJ Luis’ preliminary injunction hearing is set for Aug. 24 in Baton Rouge as he seeks eligibility to play for the Tigers in 2026-27.
Luis filed the injunction on Aug. 3 and reporters Zack Nagy and Blake Ruffino first reported the hearing date, a development summarized by Saturday Down South. The outcome will determine whether LSU can add an experienced Big East transfer to its rotation for next season.
Key Takeaways
- RJ Luis has a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for Aug. 24 after filing for relief on Aug. 3.
- Luis went undrafted, signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz, was waived, and later joined the Maine Celtics’ roster but did not play due to injury.
- He was the Big East player of the year in 2024-25 at St. John’s and averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds in 35 games.
- Under normal circumstances he would qualify for another year of eligibility through the Colorado injunction, but his professional signings complicate the legal path.
Legal questions around eligibility
The central legal question is whether a judge in Baton Rouge will clear Luis to regain college eligibility despite his brief professional agreements.
The Colorado injunction has been cited as a pathway that normally preserves additional eligibility for players from the class of 2022, but the existence of signed professional terms introduces legal complexity.
The hearing will allow both sides to present arguments about how recent injunctions apply when a player has signed a two-way contract, been waived, and had subsequent G League involvement.
Pro career and college resume
Luis spent his freshman season at UMass before transferring to St. John’s and breaking out under Rick Pitino in 2024-25.
At St. John’s he averaged 18.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 31.8 minutes in 35 games and helped the Red Storm reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
On the professional side he went undrafted, signed a two-way deal with the Utah Jazz, was waived, and later joined the Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate in Maine but did not appear in games due to injury.
Chronology and context
| Date or Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Freshman season | Played at UMass before transferring to St. John’s |
| 2024-25 season | Big East player of the year at St. John’s; averaged 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds in 35 games |
| Post-2024-25 | Declared for NBA Draft, went undrafted, signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz and was later waived |
| After NBA waiver | Signed with Maine Celtics (Boston Celtics’ G League affiliate) but did not play due to injury |
| Aug. 3 | Filed a preliminary injunction seeking eligibility to play for LSU in 2026-27 |
| Aug. 24 | Scheduled preliminary injunction hearing in Baton Rouge Court |
How a ruling would reshape LSU’s roster and SEC positioning
A ruling in Luis’ favor would provide LSU with an experienced perimeter scorer and rebounder who can be counted on for immediate minutes.
That outcome would affect minute allocations, rotation decisions, and scholarship management as coaches finalize the 2026-27 roster.
An adverse ruling would leave LSU to proceed without the anticipated transfer addition and could alter offseason priorities and depth plans.
