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Rick Pitino wants RJ Luis to model jump shot after 7-time NBA All-Star, MVP

The Red Storm junior is healthy and looking to take a massive leap this season

By Kevin Connelly

Feb 13, 2024; Providence, Rhode Island, USA; St. John's Red Storm guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) speaks to head coach Rick Pitino during the second half against the Providence Friars at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Feb 13, 2024; Providence, Rhode Island, USA; St. John's Red Storm guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) speaks to head coach Rick Pitino during the second half against the Providence Friars at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images / Eric Canha-Imagn Images
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The St. John's basketball team is finally full.

Its international players, Greek guard Lefteris Liotopoulos and Portuguese forward Ruben Prey, have arrived on campus and fall workouts are set to begin.

One of the biggest developments for the Johnnies this offseason has been the health of RJ Luis.

Luis, a UMass transfer, had his first season in Queens derailed by injuries, first suffering a broken hand during the preseason in addition to dealing with shin splints throughout the year that limited his ability to practice, much to the dismay of Rick Pitino.

However, that's in the rearview mirror for the Red Storm after Luis underwent surgery on his shins shortly after the season concluded and has been rehabbing throughout the summer. He returned to on-court activities on June 24 and said during a team event at Applebess this summer that he expected to be cleared for full contact in September.

Another milestone reached.

Pitino tweeted that his wing was "100%" on Wednesday and added that he wanted him to study the jump shot of 7-time NBA All-Star and Most Valuable Player, Joel Embiid.

"I sent him video of Joel Embiid’s jump shot and told him to model it after him. Came back with a new jumper and it looks awesome. So proud of you RJ!"

Luis struggled shooting outside the paint, making just 20.0-percent of his 3-point attempts (8-for-40), and shooting has been the biggest concern of this St. John's team since Pitino made his transfer portal additions of Seton Hall's Kadary Richmond and Utah's Deivon Smith.

Embiid, given his dominance in the paint, is not the most prolific outside shooter but has proven to be capable at 38.8-percent (54-of-139) this past season.

Pitino also provided other updates on the roster that saw Brady Dunlap and Sadiku Ibine Ayo win shooting drills.

St. John's will open its season against Fordham on Monday, November 4 in Queens.

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