NBA Draft 2025

logen said:
Very tricky situation when a player comes back to college to work on what he needs to become more attractive to the NBA; it may be in direct conflict with what the team needs to win. Personally not remotely a fan of it.
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Yes it can and has happened. But some coaches do encourage their players to do so to hear what the pros are saying.

logen said:
Your opinion but he is supposed to come back and fire 3’s to improve his draft stock? Rationalize all you want, it is an extremely slippery slope.
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Not necessarily fire more threes but improve on his shooting them which I’d he does would be a benefit for us as he obviously has the green light to shoot them.
 
SJU85 said:
Yes it can and has happened. But some coaches do encourage their players to do so to hear what the pros are saying.


Not necessarily fire more threes but improve on his shooting them which I’d he does would be a benefit for us as he obviously has the green light to shoot them.
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Agree with first, no question but not a fan of it.

Valid point with Pitino’s green light, had not put that into my equation.
 
Watching Ep. 3 last night, I now think RJ might stay more than I did before watching. The reason being his father. I didn’t know his dad played professionally around the world for 18 years. His dad seems very smart. He probably doesn’t want RJ to play around the world like he did. He wants him to make it to the league. In order to do so, he needs another year with Pitino to round out his game. He can make more money here with NIL than being a late second rounder.
 
mattc said:
Watching Ep. 3 last night, I now think RJ might stay more than I did before watching. The reason being his father. I didn’t know his dad played professionally around the world for 18 years. His dad seems very smart. He probably doesn’t want RJ to play around the world like he did. He wants him to make it to the league. In order to do so, he needs another year with Pitino to round out his game. He can make more money here with NIL than being a late second rounder.
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No, the reason he stays is access to some of the best damn oxtail stew this side of Santo Domingo.
 
And here we go....

40. RJ Luis Jr., SF/PF, St. John's​

Height: 6-7 | Junior | Top 100 Rank: 80 | TS%: 53.5%
First game: No. 2 St. John's vs. No. 15 Omaha, Thursday, 9:45 p.m. (CBS)

The Big East Player of the Year, Luis did a little bit of everything helping coach Rick Pitino claim a No. 2 seed along with the regular-season and conference tournament championships. He generates rebounds, steals and blocks prolifically, playing hard on both ends and getting to the free throw line in bunches off his aggressiveness and willingness to seek out contact. He has made big plays for St. John's all season off his fearless nature, embodying the Red Storm's bully-ball style with the way he punishes opponents and flies over the court.

Luis' shooting, with wonky mechanics and career 31% 3-point accuracy, raises questions about how his game translates to higher settings, as his decision-making inside the arc also can leave much to be desired. The 22-year-old has another year of eligibility and will have a difficult decision ahead of him considering his team's season and the individual accolades he garnered. -- Givony
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2025 NBA draft: Here's our top 50 prospects who are playing during March Madness

From Cooper Flagg to Johni Broome to Augustas Marciulionis, ESPN's draft insiders share potential pro players to watch during the NCAA tournament.
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If this team is going to make noise this month, then we have to expect it means that RJ will be making major contributions on a big stage against high level competition. For this team to make the final four it will mean that RJ will open eyes nationally and will move up the draft board.

I have to think he will do what is best for him at the end of this year, which will be to test the draft waters and see where he fits into this year's draft. Considering a healthy NIL increase there has to be a good chance that, unless he goes in the first round or high second round, he will be back to improve his status for next year. At this point my gut is telling me 65 / 35 RJ is back in college next year and 100% back at SJU unless there is a team out there that offers him their entire NIL budget. Even then, who knows what he would do. Having him in the spotlight this year I've learned about how good of a kid RJ is compared to what I would have though. When you listen to his interviews, he does come across very genuine when he talks about his family and his faith. So, it might take more than big money to lure him away from Rick and Zuby.
 
Johnnies317 said:
There are not 40 NBA draft prospects in this tournament more ready then RJ. There might not be 10 better than him.
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His Top 100 rank is 80!

I was skeptical of his prospects up until late February. Just flat out sleeping at this point.
 
www.espn.com

New NBA draft rankings, 100 deep: Whose stock is rising ahead of the Sweet 16?

Along with a top 100 rankings update, ESPN evaluates how NBA draft prospects have performed in March Madness.
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64. Zuby Ejiofor, C, St. John's | Age: 20.9
72. RJ Luis Jr., SF/PF, St. John's | Age: 22.3

Zuby Ejiofor, C, St. John's​

Top 100 ranking: 64 | PR: Not ranked
Height: 6-9 | Age: 20.9 | TS%: 64.5%

Despite St. John's' second-round loss to Arkansas, Ejiofor was a bright spot in that game, totaling 23 points and 12 rebounds against the Razorbacks' NBA-sized frontline.

Although undersized by NBA standards, his relentless effort on the glass, impressive physicality, ability to sprint the floor and above-average defensive mobility stood out. Ejiofor began his college career at Kansas, turns 21 in April and got his first opportunity as a full-time starter this season for the Johnnies. Pro teams will need to see much more from him. His solid junior season went somewhat unnoticed, but was aided by his play in the March spotlight. He looks like a draft prospect of interest for 2026 with his appealing role player qualities. -- Woo
 
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