SEC Denies RJ Luis Eligibility, Ending LSU's Legal Battle
AI-generated image · US National Wire · Based on a photo by Tim Johnson (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons)
While the Tigers lose a former Big East Player of the Year to strict conference rules, the program gains clearance for two international prospects.
The SEC has ruled that former St. John's guard RJ Luis is ineligible to play for LSU, as CBS Sports first reported. The decision ends a months-long effort by LSU coach Will Wade to clear the 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year for competition.
Luis, who declared for the 2025 NBA Draft and signed a professional contract despite going undrafted, violated a rule ratified by the SEC this past summer. The regulation prohibits players from returning to college if they fail to appropriately withdraw from the NBA, NFL, or WNBA Draft processes and subsequently sign professional contracts. CBS Sports reports that Wade had privately hoped to secure Luis' eligibility through court orders, but the SEC remained firm, following a similar victory against LSU in a separate matter involving football players and coach Lane Kiffin.
While the loss of Luis is a blow, CBS Sports reports that LSU received positive news regarding other roster additions. The NCAA has cleared Saliou Niang, a 22-year-old Senegalese-Italian forward and 58th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Because Niang was never enrolled in college and his commitment predated a new NCAA policy, the governing body decided not to apply the rule retroactively. Additionally, 23-year-old French center Brice Dessert is expected to be cleared, as sources told CBS Sports he does not violate SEC rules and never signed a professional NBA contract.
LSU continues to face eligibility hurdles elsewhere. While starting point guard Donovan Dent is currently eligible, teammate Skyy Clark is involved in a separate legal fight for a fifth year of eligibility. The Tigers open their season Nov. 3 at home against LSU New Orleans.