RJ Luis’ decision to remain in the NBA Draft instead of returning to college basketball to cash in on a major payday in the transfer portal was the most controversial choice a player made this spring.
Most people in Luis’ shoes, a projected fringe second round selection, would have easily opted to play another season of college basketball, while getting a major NIL package, but the Big East Player of the Year remained true to his word when he said he was not thinking about withdrawing from the draft.
Despite the criticism of his choice, Rick Pitino defended Luis on Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium.
“It’s a matter of going on with your future and taking less money. So, I think he’s looking at it, not as a business move, but as a future move to making the NBA,” the St. John’s head coach said.
“And every year you don’t go that route, it’s tougher to get there.”
Pitino explained that he wasn’t surprised about RJ Luis’ decision because the Big East Player of the Year told him months ago that he was going to stay in the draft.
Luis’ time at St. John’s came to a controversial ending after he was benched in the Red Storm’s NCAA Tournament loss against Arkansas for the final five minutes. A week later he announced his intentions to enter the NBA Draft while also putting his name into the transfer portal to keep all of his options open. However, one thing was certain that he would not be returning to St. John’s.
“He’s going to be a great pro,” Pitino added prior to his ceremonial first pitch of the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians game.
“What people don’t realize, because they haven’t coached him, is how good of a passer he is, how good a shot blocker he is, how good an offensive rebounder he is. They just see the scoring ability.”
Luis averaged 18.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 steals per game for the Johnnies this season while shooting 43.9-percent from the floor and 33.6-percent from 3-point range. He participated in the NBA Draft Combine in addition to having individual workouts for several NBA teams.
“He’ll improve his 3-point shooting once he gets to that level and then I think he’ll be lethal in what he can do.”
The two-day NBA Draft begins on Wednesday, June 25 with the first round and will be followed by the second round on Thursday, June 26. St. John's has three other draft eligilbe players in Kadary Richmond, Deivon Smith, and Aaron Scott.