RJ Luis Jr, a former Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz guard, was cleared by a judge Monday evening to start practicing and potentially play for LSU this season. The ruling came after a five-hour hearing in East Baton Rouge Parish District Court where Judge Ronald R Johnson granted a preliminary injunction against the NCAA's effort to block his return to college basketball. Luis never played in an NBA game despite brief stints with both the Celtics and Jazz organizations. He hugged LSU coach Will Wade after the decision which his attorneys called precedent-setting and monumental for American players seeking similar paths. The NCAA had argued Luis was unlikely to win reinstatement after leaving college to turn pro in 2025 but Johnson said in his ruling that Luis did not actually play professional basketball. Attorney Tony Clayton who represented Luis alongside Elliot Abrams noted they still have discovery work ahead and do not know the timeline for the ongoing legal process. They stressed that Luis never played for the Celtics' G League affiliate due to injury and had far less professional experience than many overseas players who have received NCAA exceptions to join college teams. 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. Askew added that actions have consequences and decisions have outcomes that are not always the ones you want. Judge Johnson said whether Luis was properly advised of his options when he left college lingers heavily before the court. The Associated Press reported on the hearing and ruling. Last result: Boston Celtics 100-109 Philadelphia 76ers (2026-05-02). Recent form (last 5): 2W-0D-3L (LLLWW, most recent first); lost the last 3. You can review the Celtics current [squad](/squad) and upcoming [fixtures](/fixtures) for more context.