Former Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics player RJ Luis Jr. was cleared by a judge Monday evening to start practicing and potentially play for LSU this season after a five-hour hearing in East Baton Rouge Parish District Court. Judge Ronald R. Johnson granted the preliminary injunction against the NCAA, which had argued Luis was unlikely to win reinstatement after leaving college to turn pro in 2025. Luis, who briefly signed with the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics but never played in an NBA game, hugged LSU coach Will Wade following the ruling. His attorneys Tony Clayton and Elliot Abrams argued that American players should receive the same opportunities as overseas professionals allowed to join college basketball programs. They emphasized Luis never played in an NBA game or for the Celtics' G League affiliate due to injury, and had less professional experience than many international recruits now playing college ball. NCAA attorney Taylor Askew countered that Luis chose to leave college for the NBA, unlike players from overseas developmental leagues, and cited Alabama's Charles Bediako as a comparable case where a judge ultimately sided with the NCAA. Johnson said in his ruling that Luis did not actually play professional basketball and questioned whether he was properly advised of his options when leaving college. The timeline for further legal proceedings remains unclear as Clayton noted ongoing discovery efforts. Last result: Los Angeles Lakers 131-107 Utah Jazz (2026-04-13). Recent form (last 5): 2W-0D-3L (LWWLL, most recent first).