RJ Luis

[SJUNC]

Would love to have RJ back. That said in today's world you would expect him to explore all opportunities of which he will have many. The only thing that bothers me is the initial report discussing lack of fan support. If true RJ may get a big wake up call if he disappoints an SEC fanbase next year. I will always appreciate what RJ did for us and still hold out hope that he is back.

 

[Ralph318!]

Regrettably he will not be returning is my educated read.

Yep. It sure was uncharted territory and beyond strange. I would like to know what really happened.

Who cares what really happened. He’s gone. Rick Matt and Mike can’t wait until after the pre draft nonsense concludes for RJs decision. We need a roster with a payroll SOON. Those 3 will do it. Stop this nonsense. We will field a terrific team that’s well coached and well funded. Some college with extra NIL will get RJ if he’s not drafted. RJ should go end of Round 2 and play in the GLeague. I’ll miss him, but that’s a wrap, because our management won’t,correctly btw, hold aside 2 million of our budget waiting for RJ.
It’s just business, nothing personal.

 

[Knight]

Beast and Carmine’s comments are ones I support 100 percent .

Pitino decided to lose the game at 4:56 remaining in a 2 point game .

The team he put on the floor at that time , Zuby , Scott , Smith , Lefty and Prey gave us no chance to win .
And , that is totally on him .

No matter how poorly RJ played up to then . In the last 5 minutes , he and Zuby might have mounted a run to win the game late .
As we had done in so many other close games all year .

Pitino decided to lose the game at 4:56 remaining in a 2 point game .

Really?

 

[paultzman]

It simply has to be that SJU has an NIL Cap, and he wanted too much of it. College hoops has a very “nfl” cap feel now. I trust that pitino thinks he can get two quality players for the cost of keeping Luis.

If staff did not fight to keep him in bidding war I sense they not only had their reasons, including being prudent $ wise.

On to Hopkins, also get a wing shooter & PG and this team will be highly competitive. Their “war room” has depth and some new talented kids will also enter the portal staff can land.

 

[Johnnies317]

Mixed emotions but said something similar the other day. RJ may never play in the NBA (I hope he does) for an extended period of time. Next year might be the biggest pay day of his life. He made his intentions known to the staff early which allows us time to replace him. If he doesn’t go to another Big East program I’ll wish him all the luck. He was a pleasure to watch and grow these last two years. Just don’t play against us next year!

 

[kranmars]

Mixed emotions but said something similar the other day. RJ may never play in the NBA (I hope he does) for an extended period of time. Next year might be the biggest pay day of his life. He made his intentions known to the staff early which allows us time to replace him. If he doesn’t go to another Big East program I’ll wish him all the luck. He was a pleasure to watch and grow these last two years. Just don’t play against us next year!

Very fair and rational post.

 

[rnd 78 cba]

I agree. But he's 20 years old and people are dangling big money in front of him. Also in his ear about the Ark game. Making him feel wanted and propping his ego. At my age I see through that but when I was 20 I'd do the same thing.

Feel like a broken record, but I hope there is a middle ground to bring him back. If he leaves then I wish him the best. His play this year Gabe me great joy.

RJ is 22 years old

 

[mjmaherjr]

2 weeks ago RJ helped us to our first BET Championship in 25 years.

Best of luck RJ wish you well wherever you go

 

[paultzman]

Zach B essentially said same in a group chat today.

 

[fordham96]

You wish him well and hope he kills it. Will always be welcome back. But Rick and staff are not going to have roster be held hostage for a bidding war and maybe NBA for 1 kid. Don't have time.

They have their sights set on big fish. The roster will be more than fine.

This also blows a hole in the narrative that all SJU does is throw money at kids at any price. If so would a school like that just let a reigning POY walk if they had an endless supply of $$$$?

 

[SLYFOXX1968]

Hopefully this will work out for us. Lots of opportunities and money out there for RJ to consider and grab. I think he is a year away from serious consideration for the NBA. Return for another year of player development under Professor Pitino and enhanced your chances of sticking in the NBA, rather than an overseas career.

h



Did Pitino pull RJ in the last 4:56 to enhance his career?
Nope , he threw a monkey wrench into it , by humiliating a All American and one of our only 3 BE POY ever .

We have all seen the questions whether RJ was going to be drafted in 1st or 2nd Round and consensus to date was likely no .

So , the decision for RJ was to opt for NBA draft but , leave wiggle room for him to go back to St John’s or, enter the Portal for a higher $$$ offer . Which might come .

Either way , Pitino made the decision for him .

There are a lot of good Coaches out there who could coach RJ up . Not just Rick Pitino .

That’s if RJ decides a big payday in the Portal is his choice .

The story continues . We, as fans , can now wait and see what our Portal pick Ups will be for next season .

 

[kranmars]

I want RJ back....you'd be crazy not to. I'll let that part play out without commenting. I'll add a few on-court thoughts:

1. RJ played with literally the best fit for him in the country with Kadary. Kadary's unselfishness was crazy and was the only reason this team had chemistry. He's unlikely to get that anywhere again -- even here.

2. Sanon takes a ton of the same shots that RJ did. RJ didn't compete with anyone for those shots this year. Nobody went on-on-one for jumpers with any kind of regularity but RJ. That is the easiest part of RJ's game to replace, and you can make the argument that Sanon is better off taking those shots right now.

3. RJ's biggest contribution IMO was his relentless play on the glass and his overall hustle. If we don't get him back, that will be the hardest thing to replace. I've never seen any wing better on offense within 5-6 feet of the basket.

As a counter to you third point, RJ did not always show that hustle early last season. He was a shaky and out of control. He did not handle his assignments well.

Of course part of that was due to his nagging injuries which limited his practice time. He was even being called injury prone and would never reach his potential.

But RJ grew exponentially as between last season and this one. He gets a lot of credit for working hard after the shin surgeries to get where he was this season.

As an aside, but very important: A big hat tip goes to the medical team from the doctors to the physical therapists, to the trainers, who were a big part of RJ’s recovery and the season he had.

 

[paultzman]

 

[SLYFOXX1968]

Pitino decided to lose the game at 4:56 remaining in a 2 point game .

Really?

T


Please tell me the line up of Zuby , Prey , Lefty , Smith , Scott was going to win it ?


With our BE POY on the Bench ?

 

[Johnnies317]

This makes more and more sense when you think about it. Agreed on the posts above. Does it make it easier to swallow? No, but I get it.

 

[Moose]

Watkins becomes imperative now.

Can Watkins enter the portal before everyone starts drooling.

 

[Roamer]

Unless RJ actually makes an NBA team this move is a mistake by him. He should have just sucked it up and dealt with CRP another season. This move doesn’t help him build a solid reputation. But in any event I thank RJ for coming here and giving us 2 great seasons. I’m not going to be devastated on losing an average shooter at best.

 

[Boo Harvey]

Zach B essentially said same in a group chat today.

Sounds like a lot of spin to me. Luis had two years in our system and was the best player on a team that won the big east regular season and tournament title. And he’s a good kid. Can’t imagine we wouldn’t make room for him after he tests the waters or that it would materially hurt recruiting. Who knows.

 

[Boo Harvey]

You wish him well and hope he kills it. Will always be welcome back. But Rick and staff are not going to have roster be held hostage for a bidding war and maybe NBA for 1 kid. Don't have time.

They have their sights set on big fish. The roster will be more than fine.

This also blows a hole in the narrative that all SJU does is throw money at kids at any price. If so would a school like that just let a reigning POY walk if they had an endless supply of $$$$?

If you’re referring to The NY Times story I’m not sure that was the narrative. I think it was more that Repole’s money has allowed us to go from irrelevant to a top contender in a heartbeat. I didn’t like the tone of the article and the Times singling us out but it certainly had some truth to it.

 

[paultzman]

Sounds like a lot of spin to me. Luis had two years in our system and was the best player on a team that won the big east regular season and tournament title. And he’s a good kid. Can’t imagine we wouldn’t make room for him after he tests the waters or that it would materially hurt recruiting. Who knows.

“Mutual decision” we all know can mean several things. I wish him well and moving on.