Earlier in the season, he showed more glimpses of his upside defensively. He seriously locked up that shooter against UVA. I also think the offensive stuff can be correctable. He seems like someone who thinks of himself as a scorer moreso than anything else. I actually think one more year with Rick can do him wonders, in terms of becoming a more all-around guy.
RJ Luis 2024 Clips and Poll
- Thread starter Amaseinyourface
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Earlier in the season, he showed more glimpses of his upside defensively. He seriously locked up that shooter against UVA. I also think the offensive stuff can be correctable. He seems like someone who thinks of himself as a scorer moreso than anything else. I actually think one more year with Rick can do him wonders, in terms of becoming a more all-around guy.
RJ is a huge talent. Those who do not think he is a smart player should consider his work on the offensive boards. He frequently attacks, like Zuby frequently does, and displays his quickness, positioning and athleticism. I hope we see him again next year.
You have to admit he makes some boneheaded plays sometimes. Like trying to dribble through three defenders, sometimes forcing his shots. I think he needs another year to smooth out his game and decision making.
Ironically, the thing that will make him be ready for the pros will help the team the most -- less predictability on offense, more heady play, better court awareness, more consistency on defense.
I am not in camp of assuming RJ will be an NBA player. That said, that menu of betterment you describe well, points to a huge reason for him to return to refine his game under Pitino.
Most of RJ's mistakes come when he wants to play one-on-X. He tries to do it all himself. He needs to return and bulk up.
No but that's not the point. LOL
I did lose a few hairs with the FTs and especially that botched 3 on 1. That's the point.
Any games that were not blowouts we probably don’t win without either RJ or Zuby; doesn’t make either above constructive criticismNo but that's not the point. LOL
I did lose a few hairs with the FTs and especially that botched 3 on 1. That's the point.
I thought the bad pass looked great from my seat at midcourt, because he immediately advanced the ball, not pulling a Sean Evans with head down dribbling wildly. Unfortunately he didnt see the defender trailing the play who picked off the pass.No but that's not the point. LOL
I did lose a few hairs with the FTs and especially that botched 3 on 1. That's the point.
FTs are free throws. He shoots 76% from the line. I didn't see his misses as chokes or succumbing to the pressure, but who knows? He's probably our best player with the highest ceiling, but you're entitled to your opinion.
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For More Information, Please Contact:
Kevin Wehner, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
Phone: 518-419-0078
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RJ Luis Jr. Named to Oscar Robertson Trophy Midseason Watch List
The junior was one of 50 players nationwide to be named to the watch list
· Web Release
· USBWA Release
INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 3, 2025) – St. John’s men’s basketball standout RJ Luis Jr. was one of 50 players nationwide to be named to the Oscar Robertson Trophy Midseason Watch List, the U.S. Basketball Writers’ Association (USBWA) announced on Monday afternoon.
Luis Jr. was selected for consideration for the National Player of the Year award by the association’s board of directors.
The Oscar Robertson Trophy winner is to be announced at the NCAA Men's Final Four in San Antonio, from April 5-7. The formal presentation of the trophy will follow at the annual USBWA Awards Luncheon hosted by the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. A final watch list will be released in early March.
The Miami, Fla., native joins Villanova’s Eric Dixon, Marquette’s Kam Jones and UConn’s Alex Karaban as the four BIG EAST players included on the prestigious list. The wing becomes the first St. John’s player to be included on the midseason watch list since Joel Soriano in 2023.
Luis Jr. has risen to the occasion for the Red Storm, which just received its highest AP poll ranking in 25 and sit atop the BIG EAST standings with a 10-1 mark in league and a 19-3 record overall. The prolific scorer ranks fourth in the BIG EAST averaging 17.5 points per game on 45.5 percent shooting from the floor and 74.8 percent from the charity stripe.
The former UMass transfer has also ranks second on the team and sixth in the conference averaging 6.6 rebounds per game. Over his last four contests, Luis Jr. has pulled down 7.5 boards per game. He has tallied six double-doubles this season, which ties with teammate Zuby Ejiofor for the second-best in the BIG EAST.
The junior in his second year under Head Coach Rick Pitino, has reached double-figures in scoring in 21 of 22 games and posted six 20-plus point performances this season. Dating back to last season, he has posted double-digit points in 25 of his last 27 games.
On Jan. 11 against Villanova, Luis Jr. exploded for a season-high 30 points in a 80-68 victory over the Wildcats. The 30-point performance marked the first by a Red Storm player since Julian Champagnie on Feb. 18, 2022. The junior etched his name in the record books making 16 free throws at Madison Square Garden, ranking fourth most in program history and the highest total by a Johnnie since Marcus Hatten set the program record with 21 on Feb. 9, 2002 against UConn.
Following the 30-point performance on Jan. 11, Luis Jr. earned BIG EAST and Metropolitan Basketball Writers’ Association Player of the Week honors. He has been named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll three times on Nov. 11, Nov. 18 and Dec. 2.
Luis Jr. and the No. 12/10 St. John’s men’s basketball team will host its first top-15 matchup in 26 years on Tuesday when it welcomes No. 11/11 Marquette to Madison Square Garden at 6:30 p.m. on FS1.
--Red Storm--
This email may contain proprietary, confidential and/or privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, use, distribution or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient (or authorized to receive for the recipient), please contact the sender by reply email and delete all copies of this message.
...
For More Information, Please Contact:
Kevin Wehner, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
Phone: 518-419-0078
wehnerk@stjohns.edu
RJ Luis Jr. Named to Oscar Robertson Trophy Midseason Watch List
The junior was one of 50 players nationwide to be named to the watch list
· Web Release
· USBWA Release
INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 3, 2025) – St. John’s men’s basketball standout RJ Luis Jr. was one of 50 players nationwide to be named to the Oscar Robertson Trophy Midseason Watch List, the U.S. Basketball Writers’ Association (USBWA) announced on Monday afternoon.
Luis Jr. was selected for consideration for the National Player of the Year award by the association’s board of directors.
The Oscar Robertson Trophy winner is to be announced at the NCAA Men's Final Four in San Antonio, from April 5-7. The formal presentation of the trophy will follow at the annual USBWA Awards Luncheon hosted by the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis. A final watch list will be released in early March.
The Miami, Fla., native joins Villanova’s Eric Dixon, Marquette’s Kam Jones and UConn’s Alex Karaban as the four BIG EAST players included on the prestigious list. The wing becomes the first St. John’s player to be included on the midseason watch list since Joel Soriano in 2023.
Luis Jr. has risen to the occasion for the Red Storm, which just received its highest AP poll ranking in 25 and sit atop the BIG EAST standings with a 10-1 mark in league and a 19-3 record overall. The prolific scorer ranks fourth in the BIG EAST averaging 17.5 points per game on 45.5 percent shooting from the floor and 74.8 percent from the charity stripe.
The former UMass transfer has also ranks second on the team and sixth in the conference averaging 6.6 rebounds per game. Over his last four contests, Luis Jr. has pulled down 7.5 boards per game. He has tallied six double-doubles this season, which ties with teammate Zuby Ejiofor for the second-best in the BIG EAST.
The junior in his second year under Head Coach Rick Pitino, has reached double-figures in scoring in 21 of 22 games and posted six 20-plus point performances this season. Dating back to last season, he has posted double-digit points in 25 of his last 27 games.
On Jan. 11 against Villanova, Luis Jr. exploded for a season-high 30 points in a 80-68 victory over the Wildcats. The 30-point performance marked the first by a Red Storm player since Julian Champagnie on Feb. 18, 2022. The junior etched his name in the record books making 16 free throws at Madison Square Garden, ranking fourth most in program history and the highest total by a Johnnie since Marcus Hatten set the program record with 21 on Feb. 9, 2002 against UConn.
Following the 30-point performance on Jan. 11, Luis Jr. earned BIG EAST and Metropolitan Basketball Writers’ Association Player of the Week honors. He has been named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll three times on Nov. 11, Nov. 18 and Dec. 2.
Luis Jr. and the No. 12/10 St. John’s men’s basketball team will host its first top-15 matchup in 26 years on Tuesday when it welcomes No. 11/11 Marquette to Madison Square Garden at 6:30 p.m. on FS1.
--Red Storm--
This email may contain proprietary, confidential and/or privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, use, distribution or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient (or authorized to receive for the recipient), please contact the sender by reply email and delete all copies of this message.
...
I swear I typed a long response to this last night but it's gone.
Re the pass the problem was that after he lost control it looked like he tried to tap it forward. I thought he should have grabbed it and maintained possession but my memory ain't what it used to be. But I'm not out there so . . .
And I did not mean to imply that he choked on the FTs. Just that they were the most important in the game and you said he made his FTs. I was really upset, not at him just in general, when he missed that front end especially. Cuz at that point I was already getting nervous.
And he may have the highest ceiling by KR is the best player. Combination of skills, court awareness., and BB IQ If we measured in just the first category RJ hands down. I like RJ a lot and recognize he is indispensable.
