LSU Lawyer Calls SEC Chief 'Kim Jong' in Court Win for RJ Luis
A judge in Baton Rouge allowed former St. John's star RJ Luis to play for LSU until mid-November, a move that complicates the conference's federal lawsuit against the university.
By Leila Reynolds ·
A Louisiana judge has given LSU basketball the legal right to roster RJ Luis through next month, creating a direct conflict with Southeastern Conference rules.
The ruling, issued Wednesday in the 19th Judicial District Court of Baton Rouge, grants Luis an injunction that allows him to practice and play for the Tigers until a hearing scheduled for Nov. 13. This legal shield protects the university from immediate penalties if it chooses to add the former St. John's player to its roster, despite the SEC's prohibition on athletes with professional experience or NBA contracts.
Attorney Tony Clayton, who represents Luis and previously won a similar case for football players Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, argued that the university needs protection from the conference's threats. Clayton told reporters outside the courthouse that adding LSU to the lawsuit was necessary because the school was under pressure from SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.
"My client, Mr. Luis, felt that it was in his best interest to file this claim against LSU and the SEC because of the commissioner's actions and the commissioner's threat," Clayton said. "LSU may be intimidated by 'Kim Jong' Sankey, but we're not."
The comparison drew attention because of the tense relationship between the university and the conference. Sankey testified for over three hours in the separate Wright and Harris case just before LSU opened its football season against Clemson. Although a judge ruled in favor of those players, the LSU athletic department kept them off the roster due to fears of SEC recourse and a federal lawsuit filed by the conference that same week.
LSU basketball coach Will Wade has stated he will follow SEC guidelines regarding former professionals, meaning he currently does not have Luis on the official roster. The new court order forces Wade to make a decision: ignore the conference rules and roster Luis with the protection of the judge's order, or continue to hold him out and risk further legal complications.
Clayton stated that the university and its coaching staff need to be compelled to allow Luis to play because he is qualified. "In effect, stopping coach Will Wade from letting this kid exercise his fundamental right to play basketball," Clayton said, referring to the SEC's influence.
The legal strategy mirrors the approach used for the football players, who may soon file a civil suit seeking monetary damages for not being rostered. The current injunction for Luis remains in effect until the Nov. 13 hearing, providing a specific window for the university to act before the next phase of litigation begins.
