I sure hope so.
RJ Luis
- Thread starter paultzman
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I understand he probably wants to get paid and a high major will sign that check for sure. But his stock has nowhere to go but down and he will only be a year older which should depress his draft stock. With that said, there’s definitely not even 50 guys in the draft with a better combination of skill and upside. Im not a big NBA guy (def not a draft guru) but Im not sure how he doesn’t get drafted.
No way he is not taken somewhere in 2nd round imho. Wish him the best and sense if drafted at all he will go.
You mean invited back to play for us, not as a future past player right? He played a terrible and likely selfish tourney game but the guy still was a major part of the revival and we should welcome him on campus as a former player any time
L J S A
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There are lots of guys who should be taken in draft but then it doesn't happen. I'm just concerned about the draft process timing for him. Do schools he'd be happy at have both space for him and asking price left in the budget when draft process ends?
But I guess that's what he's paying his agent for.
L J S A
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Yes, go look at the post I was responding to.
carmineabbatiello
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Did you miss our 2nd Ncaa tournament game in Providence?
Totally agree with the above. But this kid gave us a fabulous year and we would have been nowhere (and I mean nowhere) without him and if we don't bring him back to honor him no matter where his next stop is that would be a disgrace of epic proportions.
I saw that game. Also saw the game in CT this year when he hit the baseline shot to ice the game. Also saw that game in the BET when he put up 27 2nd half points to help the team pull away. Also saw 30 other games when RJ excelled the court.
You must be new here. Carmine was being facetious, he's an RJ stan.
carmineabbatiello
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And because in the end, as sad and incredulous it is to say, St. Johns screwed RJ big time. He deserved SO much better after the season he gave us.
L J S A
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I'm not sure things will work out like that in the portal era though. Is Providence ever going to invite Hopkins back in the future?
It's way easier to make him feel welcome in future if he is in NBA next season. If he's making $3 million at BYU next season and helps take them to Final Four, does he show up at our games in future, or does he show up at BYU games?
I'm a RJ fan, but I have no basis to say one way or the other whether we "screwed" RJ "big time". Just my opinion. And, like you, I'm on here a lot and have been for a long time. Maybe you are privy to things I'm not, in which case all good. From my perspective, RJ benefited from St. John's and Coach Pitino and St. John's, Coach Pitino and us fans benefited from RJ. It has been no secret the kid wants to turn pro, which makes sense given his age and ability. If the idea is we were supposed to hold a spot for him while he goes through the draft process, well I don't agree with that. Just like RJ has to do what's best for him -- which is training for the combine and to hopefully get drafted or sign one of those lucrative undrafted 2-way deals -- SJU has to do what's best for SJU's roster next year.
May be time to accept he is gone, improved a lot this season, got a ton of deserved recognition, helped win many games and his scoring will be missed. No sense theorizing the backdrop, am sure he & Rick have moved on.
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I would hope both.
BE POY… BET MOP… he better be invited back!!!
L J S A
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I feel like my recent post may have set off a firestorm of confusion 
In no way do I think he shouldn't be invited back as an alum to be feted.
Nettles seemed optimistic that he could be asked back for next season. That's what my response was directed toward. Despite whatever Luis says publicly, I think there's too much bitterness to return. And even if he wasn't bitter, I don't think staff would have any intention of paying $3 million.
In no way do I think he shouldn't be invited back as an alum to be feted.
Nettles seemed optimistic that he could be asked back for next season. That's what my response was directed toward. Despite whatever Luis says publicly, I think there's too much bitterness to return. And even if he wasn't bitter, I don't think staff would have any intention of paying $3 million.
Finally watched the final documentary episode, and was really impressed with how RJ handled himself when they interviewed him in the days after their final game. Especially when they pressed him on being benched. Very mature and humble kid. We were lucky to have had him as part of our program.
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