LSU head coach Will Wade has found himself in controversy once again.
This time, it stems from the Tigers coach’s latest commitment in former St. John’s All-American RJ Luis — who was previously traded in the NBA.
The signing has caused a stir in the college basketball community since legal precedent would keep Luis from returning to college, yet LSU still is attempting to have him cleared.
One of the biggest pushbacks came in a strong message from longtime college basketball reporter Jeff Goodman.
“Will Wade, I wish you didn’t come back to college basketball,” Goodman, who works for the Field of 68, said Tuesday evening. “Man, you suck for college basketball right now. … You’re making it into a mockery.
“Look in the mirror and understand it’s not just about you. This is about more than you, this is about the sport of college basketball. Have some pride, have some dignity. Don’t try to ruin the sport.”
Wade has always been a polarizing figure with college basketball, and the potential Luis addition is the latest in the ongoing debate about recruiting eligibility for players who have professional ties.
Luis, 23, entered the 2025 NBA Draft but went undrafted after his stellar season with St. John’s.
The Utah Jazz signed him to a two-way contract before trading him to the Boston Celtics, who later waived him. He then joined their G-League team in Maine, but did not play for the team due to injury
Now, Luis is looking for another collegiate chance under Wade.
But this signing saga has only just begun. Luis is still ineligible to play college basketball under the NCAA’s current rules due to signing an NBA contract.
Luis’ camp would have to go to court to get his eligibility back, with the potential argument that he never played in a professional game and thus did not burn his eligiblity.
That is the same argument Alabama center Charles Bediako made, and he played several games for the Crimson Tide before being denied eligibility by a judge.
Some believe Wade is pushing the envelope too far with this tactic, especially considering his prior recruiting violations with the school that led to his firing in 2022.
“This is absolutely ridiculous,” Goodman said. “You got a second chance here after being run out of the sport. … Have some pride, like have some dignity in your profession.”
Goodman said several coaches reached out to him to voice their displeasure, including one who said Wade is “being an idiot a–hole, just for the sake of being an idiot a–hole.”
While all the controversy took center stage, Wade snuck in another former NBA draft pick.
He signed Italian international Saliou Niang, who was drafted 58th overall in the 2025 draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to On3.
Niang was used as a draft-and-stash pick by the Cavaliers and never officially signed a contract, which led to the loophole Wade once again exploited.
Many eyes will be on LSU next season in his return to Baton Rouge, but it seems not all will be hoping for success.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
