A Louisiana judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Southeastern Conference (SEC) from sanctioning Louisiana State University (LSU) for playing guard RJ Luis Jr., who previously played professionally. The ruling allows Luis Jr. to compete for the Tigers while the legal challenge proceeds.
The decision comes amid a dispute over Luis Jr.'s eligibility after he transferred from St. John's University, where he played during the 2024-25 season. The SEC had moved to penalize LSU for fielding a player with professional experience, which may violate conference amateurism rules.
LSU head coach Will Wade, who returned to the program in March 2026, had included Luis Jr. in the team's lineup. The judge's order halts any immediate penalties, such as forfeited games or fines, pending a full hearing.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between NCAA eligibility standards and conference regulations regarding athletes with professional backgrounds. A hearing date for the underlying matter has not been announced.
