The resurgence of St. John’s basketball has been one of the biggest stories in college hoops this season, and at the heart of it all is RJ Luis Jr. The 6-foot-7 junior guard has cemented himself as the star of the best Red Storm squad of the 21st century, leading the team in scoring and guiding them to their first Big East Tournament title in 25 years.
With a team-best 29 points in the Big East championship game, Luis secured not only the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player honors but also the prestigious Big East Player of the Year award. His dominant play throughout the season earned him national recognition, as he became the first St. John’s player to receive AP All-America honors since Ron Artest (now Metta Sandiford-Artest) in 1999, landing on the Second Team.
Luis’ statistical impact has been undeniable. Averaging 18.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, he has been the engine driving St. John’s success. His efficiency—44.4% from the field, 32.5% from three, and 75% from the free throw line—has made him a reliable scorer at all three levels.
A Journey of Growth
Luis’ path to national stardom has been anything but conventional. Starting his collegiate career at UMass in 2022-23, he made an immediate impact as a freshman, averaging 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds while earning Atlantic 10 All-Freshman Team honors. Seeking a bigger stage, he entered the transfer portal and landed at St. John’s.
His first season in Queens was marred by a hand injury, limiting him to just 23 games and 10 starts. Despite the setback, he still managed to contribute 10.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Fully healthy for the 2024-25 season, Luis has blossomed into one of the best players in the nation, earning recognition as a semifinalist for the Naismith Trophy and a finalist for the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year award.
Tournament Hopes
With the Red Storm securing a No. 2 seed in the West Region, they now turn their attention to the NCAA Tournament. Their first test? A matchup against 15th-seeded Omaha on Thursday night. St. John’s faithful hope this is just the beginning of a deep tournament run, with Luis leading the way.
His journey—from an under-the-radar freshman at UMass to the star of one of the most successful St. John’s teams in decades—has been remarkable. Now, he has the chance to etch his name into March Madness history.
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