RJ Luis Jr. Bio
Reggie Jason “RJ” Luis Jr., born on November 27, 2002, in Miami, Florida, is an American professional basketball player who is currently a free agent. A versatile wing listed at 6 feet 7 inches and 215 pounds, Luis has played both the shooting guard and small forward positions throughout his career. He first rose to national attention during his time in college basketball, where he earned consensus second-team All-American honors while starring for the St. John’s Red Storm. After a brief stint in the NBA and G League, Luis returned to college basketball, signing with the LSU Tigers of the Southeastern Conference.
Beyond his on-court work, Luis is known for his multicultural background and his ability to speak both Spanish and English fluently. His journey from a prep school prospect in Florida to one of the most decorated players in the Big East Conference has been marked by steady improvement and high-level production. He has also spent time with the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, and the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League.
Early Life and Background
Reggie Jason Luis Jr. was born in Miami, Florida, to a family with deep Caribbean roots. His father, Reggie Luis Charles, is Dominican, while his mother, Verito Luis, is Ecuadorian, giving the young athlete a rich multicultural upbringing. Luis grew up in a bilingual household and is fluent in both Spanish and English, a skill that reflects his diverse heritage. He also has two younger sisters, Racheal and Rylee, who have been part of his support system throughout his basketball journey.
Luis attended Christopher Columbus High School in Westchester, Florida, where he began to make a name for himself as a promising young talent. Coming out of high school, he was rated as the 233rd overall player in the class of 2022, a ranking that helped him secure a college opportunity. To further sharpen his skills and gain additional exposure, he also spent time at Mt. Zion Prep Academy in Lanham, Maryland, where he continued to develop his game before making the jump to the college level.
Path to Basketball
Luis committed to play college basketball for the UMass Minutemen of the Atlantic 10 Conference, beginning his collegiate career in 2022. His time at UMass allowed him to transition from a high school prospect into a Division I contributor, and he made an immediate impact as a freshman. After a single season with the Minutemen, Luis entered the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a new opportunity at a higher-profile program.
That opportunity came in the form of the St. John’s Red Storm of the Big East Conference, one of the most historic conferences in college basketball. The move to New York marked a turning point in his career, as he began to develop into a featured player. His success at St. John’s, including major individual awards and a conference championship, established him as one of the most improved players in the country. Following a brief professional detour, Luis once again hit the transfer portal, this time committing to the LSU Tigers of the Southeastern Conference in 2026.
RJ Luis Jr. Career
Early Career at UMass (2022–2023)
As a freshman at UMass in 2022–23, Luis appeared in 27 games and made ten starts, quickly earning a regular role in the Minutemen rotation. He averaged 11.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, showing a well-rounded skill set on both ends of the floor. Luis shot 45.5 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three-point range, demonstrating efficiency as a perimeter scorer. His strong debut season earned him a spot on the Atlantic 10 Conference All-Freshman Team, an early sign of his potential.
Despite his individual success, Luis decided to test the transfer portal after his freshman year. The move reflected his ambition to compete at a higher level and against stronger competition. His time at UMass laid the foundation for the scoring and playmaking abilities that would later flourish in the Big East.
St. John’s Breakthrough (2023–2025)
Luis transferred to the St. John’s Red Storm and immediately became a key contributor for the program. In his first season with the Red Storm in 2023–24, he appeared in 23 games with ten starts, though a hand injury limited his playing time. Still, he managed to average 10.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, showing that his production translated to the Big East level.
His second season in Queens, in 2024–25, was nothing short of spectacular. On February 7, 2025, Luis delivered 21 points and seven rebounds in a win over UConn, announcing himself as a premier performer in the conference. He followed that up with a 21-point, 14-rebound, five-assist performance in a victory over No. 24 Creighton on February 16, 2025. Then, on March 1, 2025, he scored 21 points and grabbed six rebounds in a win over Seton Hall that clinched the Big East championship. He was named the Big East tournament Most Outstanding Player, Big East Player of the Year, a first-team All-Big East selection, and a consensus second-team All-American. He also won the Haggerty Award, given to the best college basketball player in the New York metropolitan area.
Professional Stint and Return to College (2025–Present)
Following his dominant senior season, Luis declared for the 2025 NBA draft but went unselected. On June 26, 2025, he signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz, beginning his professional career. Less than two months later, on August 6, he was traded alongside an $8 million trade exception to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Georges Niang and two future second-round draft picks. However, Luis was waived by the Celtics on October 15, before the start of the NBA season.
After his release, Luis signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Celtics’ NBA G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, keeping him within the organization. On May 19, 2026, after spending a year away from college basketball, Luis signed to play at LSU, re-entering the college ranks and joining the Southeastern Conference. He is now a member of the LSU Tigers and continues to develop as a professional prospect.
Driving Style and Strengths
Luis is widely regarded as a versatile and athletic wing, capable of impacting the game on both ends of the floor. His size at 6 feet 7 inches allows him to play as a small forward, while his skill set and ball-handling ability let him operate as a shooting guard. He is a capable scorer from the perimeter, a willing rebounder for his position, and a developing playmaker, evidenced by his five-assist performance against Creighton. His bilingual communication skills and high basketball IQ have also been cited as strengths that help him process the game quickly.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Luis’s career came on March 1, 2025, when his 21-point performance helped St. John’s clinch the Big East championship over Seton Hall. He also earned the Big East tournament MOP and was named Big East Player of the Year in the same season, joining an elite group of conference standouts. Being named a consensus second-team All-American further cemented his place among the best players in college basketball that year.
RJ Luis Jr. Career Wins
Reggie Jason “RJ” Luis Jr. has built an impressive list of accomplishments across his college and professional career. While detailed win totals across all levels of play are not fully verified, his most celebrated victories came during the 2024–25 season with the St. John’s Red Storm. His performances in high-profile matchups against ranked opponents like UConn and Creighton highlighted his ability to perform on the biggest stages.
Big East Highlights
During the 2024–25 season, Luis helped lead St. John’s to the Big East championship, highlighted by his 21-point, six-rebound performance in the title-clinching win over Seton Hall. Earlier in the season, he posted 21 points and seven rebounds in a victory over UConn, and recorded a 21-point, 14-rebound, five-assist double-double in a win against No. 24 Creighton. He earned Big East Player of the Year, first-team All-Big East, and Big East tournament MOP honors, along with the Haggerty Award, recognizing his dominance throughout the season.
Other Wins and Performances
As a freshman at UMass in 2022–23, Luis was a key contributor for the Minutemen, averaging 11.5 points per game and earning Atlantic 10 All-Freshman Team honors. His professional stint included brief tenures with the Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, and Maine Celtics, organizations that provided him valuable experience at the next level. His decision to return to college basketball and sign with LSU in 2026 signaled his continued drive to refine his game and pursue his NBA dreams.
RJ Luis Jr. Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Reggie Jason “RJ” Luis Jr. comes from a close-knit family with strong Caribbean heritage. His father, Reggie Luis Charles, is Dominican, and his mother, Verito Luis, is Ecuadorian, giving the family a rich multicultural identity. Luis also has two younger sisters, Racheal and Rylee, who have supported him throughout his basketball career. His upbringing in a bilingual household has played a significant role in shaping his identity as both a player and a person.
Personal Life
Off the court, Luis is known for his ability to speak both Spanish and English fluently, a reflection of his Dominican and Ecuadorian roots. He is American by nationality and has spent much of his life in Miami, Florida, where he was born and raised. His journey through prep school, two college programs, and brief professional stints has demonstrated his resilience and commitment to the game.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a defining chapter in Reggie Jason “RJ” Luis Jr.’s basketball career. As a redshirt senior at St. John’s, he elevated his game to one of the best in the Big East, leading the Red Storm to the conference championship. His consistent scoring, rebounding, and playmaking throughout the season made him a finalist for multiple national player of the year honors and earned him consensus second-team All-American recognition.
After the college season concluded, Luis declared for the 2025 NBA draft but went undrafted. He quickly signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz on June 26, 2025, and was later traded to the Boston Celtics on August 6, 2025, before being waived on October 15. He then signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Maine Celtics, the Celtics’ G League affiliate, keeping his professional prospects alive. His ability to contribute at multiple levels in 2025 has positioned him well for his return to college basketball at LSU in 2026.