By JB Ellis
RJ Luis, a 6’7” guard/forward, hails from Miami, Florida, and plays for the St. John’s University men’s basketball team. He transferred to St. John’s after a successful freshman year at the University of Massachusetts (UMass), where he played for the Minutemen during the 2022-2023 season. At UMass, Luis showcased his all-around game, averaging 11.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game. His impressive stats were highlighted by his consistency, registering 17 double-digit scoring performances, including four games scoring over 20 points, and a career-high 31 points in a win against Duquesne. Luis shot 45.5% from the field and 34.8% from three-point range, proving himself as an efficient scorer .
Luis’s ability to score in multiple ways was evident throughout his season at UMass. His performance included a 17-for-18 showing from the free-throw line in his 31-point outing against Duquesne, a remarkable display of his ability to get to the line and convert in clutch moments . His strong finish to the season, including an average of 16.8 points and 8.0 rebounds in his final five games, demonstrated his potential to contribute significantly at a higher level .
Before college, Luis played at Mt. Zion Prep in Maryland for his post-high school year, where he averaged 18.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, further raising his stock as a versatile player. He was highly regarded during his high school years at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, where he earned First-Team All-State 7A honors, averaging 25.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game as a senior .
At St. John’s, under the leadership of coach Rick Pitino, Luis has been part of a major rebuild, with Pitino bringing in several transfers to strengthen the team. In the 2023-24 season, Luis’s contributions have continued to shine. He has averaged 10.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, with notable performances against teams like Marquette, where he posted 20 points, and Seton Hall in the Big East quarterfinals, where he led the team with 18 points . His ability to play multiple positions has made him a versatile asset for St. John’s as they aim to contend in the Big East Conference.