The LSU basketball team is reuniting this season with former head coach Will Wade. Wade is back in Baton Rouge, and has put a roster together he hopes will be able to compete for an SEC title. One player Wade recruited though won't end up playing with the team.
That is guard RJ Luis. The Tigers have essentially abandoned hopes that Luis would play this season, per CBS Sports reporter Matt Norlander.
“RJ Luis will NOT be cleared to play by the SEC and LSU has given up its fight for him to be eligible, sources told CBS. Luis would be in violation of the SEC's rule that prevents players returning to college after signing a pro contract,” Norlander posted to X, formerly Twitter.
Wade had essentially been lobbying the SEC to try and get Luis eligible.
“Will Wade had been privately confident for months that Luis would eventually find his way to play, but the SEC would not budge. Sources tell CBS Sports that, in recent days, Wade has come to accept the reality that Luis would not be allowed to compete for LSU this season,” Norlander added.
LSU basketball has high hopes this season for Will Wade
Wade previously coached at LSU from 2017-2022. He led the Tigers to the NCAA tournament, but the school parted ways with him over an investigation involving alleged recruiting violations.
After he left LSU, Wade led both McNeese State and North Carolina State to the NCAA tournament. He is now back with the Tigers, hoping to lead LSU to a SEC championship.
Article Continues BelowEven though the LSU basketball program is getting bad news about Luis, the team is getting good news about another player.
“Sources also tell CBS Sports that LSU incoming center Brice Dessert, a 7-footer from France, will soon be officially cleared to play for Will Wade's program,” Norlander added.
LSU tips off their college basketball season with a game against New Orleans on November 3.