RJ Luis will not play for LSU after the SEC ruled him ineligible, while Saliou Niang and Brice Dessert have been cleared to join the Tigers' roster.
01Summary
- 01RJ Luis, the 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year, was ruled ineligible by the SEC after signing a professional contract and failing to properly withdraw from the 2025 NBA Draft.
- 02LSU coach Will Wade has conceded the months-long fight to get Luis cleared, with the SEC's rule against such returns proving legally robust.
- 03Saliou Niang, a 22-year-old forward drafted 58th by Cleveland in 2025 but never signed, was cleared by the NCAA because his commitment to LSU pre-dated a new retroactive rule.
- 04French centre Brice Dessert, a 23-year-old 7-footer, will also be cleared for LSU as neither he nor Niang signed an NBA contract or previously enrolled in college.
- 05LSU still faces eligibility fights for Skyy Clark and Donovan Dent, who are suing for a fifth year, while the Tigers open their season on 3 November.
02Why it matters
This resolves a key eligibility saga affecting LSU's roster strength ahead of the season; Niang and Dessert could boost the Tigers' NCAA Tournament chances.
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