Reggie Jason “RJ” Luis Jr. Bio
Reggie Jason “RJ” Luis Jr. is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Maine Celtics, the NBA G League affiliate of the Boston Celtics. Born on November 27, 2002, in Miami, Florida, Luis established himself as a versatile shooting guard and small forward during his collegiate career at UMass and St. John’s. He went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft but signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz and later joined the Boston Celtics organization. Luis represents a diverse background, being American, Dominican, and Ecuadorian, and is fluent in both Spanish and English.
Early Life and Background
Luis was born in Miami, Florida, to father Reggie Luis Charles, who is Dominican, and mother Verito Luis, who is Ecuadorian. He grew up in a multicultural household and developed fluency in both Spanish and English from an early age. Luis has two younger sisters named Racheal and Rylee. His upbringing in Miami exposed him to a diverse sporting culture that helped shape his basketball development.
Luis attended Christopher Columbus High School in Westchester, Florida, before completing his high school career at Mt. Zion Prep Academy in Lanham, Maryland. He was rated as the 233rd overall prospect in the class of 2022, which positioned him as a solid collegiate recruit despite not being a top-tier national prospect.
Path to Professional Basketball
Following his high school graduation, Luis committed to play college basketball for the UMass Minutemen, beginning his collegiate career in the 2022-23 season. His transition to Division I basketball showed promise as he adapted to the faster pace and physical demands of college competition. The Atlantic 10 Conference provided him with a competitive environment to develop his skills against quality opponents.
After his freshman season, Luis entered the NCAA transfer portal, seeking a new opportunity. He ultimately decided to transfer to St. John’s University to play for the Red Storm, a program with deep basketball tradition in New York. This move marked a significant chapter in his development as he sought to elevate his game at a program known for developing professional prospects.
Reggie Jason “RJ” Luis Jr. Career
UMass Minutemen (2022–2023)
During his freshman season with the UMass Minutemen in 2022-23, Luis appeared in 27 games with ten starts. He averaged 11.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three-point range. His all-around contributions demonstrated the versatility that would become a hallmark of his playing style.
His performance throughout the season earned recognition from the Atlantic 10 Conference, which named him to the All-Freshman Team. This accolade validated his ability to compete at a high level and suggested his potential for continued growth. The experience gained during conference play against established programs prepared him for the challenges ahead.
St. John’s Red Storm (2023–2025)
Luis began his first season with the St. John’s Red Storm in 2023-24 but faced significant challenges. He appeared in only 23 games with ten starts due to a hand injury that hampered his production throughout the season. Despite the setback, he managed to average 10.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game when healthy, showing resilience in navigating adversity.
The 2024-25 season marked a breakthrough for Luis and the Red Storm. He delivered several standout performances, including a 21-point, 7-rebound effort against UConn on February 7, 2025. On February 16, 2025, he recorded his first career double-double with 21 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 assists in a victory over number 24 Creighton. Most importantly, on March 1, 2025, he scored 21 points and grabbed 6 rebounds in a win over Seton Hall that clinched the Big East Championship for St. John’s.
His dominant season culminated in multiple major awards. Luis was named Big East Player of the Year, earned First-team All-Big East honors, and won the Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player award. He was also recognized as a Consensus Second-team All-American and won the Haggerty Award, which is presented to the top player in the New York metropolitan area. These accomplishments established him among the top college players in the nation.
Professional Career (2025)
Despite his decorated college career, Luis went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, his college performance attracted immediate interest from NBA teams. On June 26, 2025, he signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz, giving him an opportunity to prove himself at the professional level while splitting time between the NBA and G League.
On August 6, 2025, Luis was traded to the Boston Celtics in a deal that sent him alongside an $8 million trade exception to Boston in exchange for Georges Niang and two future second-round draft picks. The Celtics saw potential in his versatility and all-around skill set. Unfortunately, he was waived on October 15, 2025, before the start of the regular season.
Following his release from the Celtics, Luis signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s NBA G League affiliate. This contract allowed him to continue developing his game in a professional environment while remaining connected to the Celtics organization.
Playing Style and Strengths
Luis is known for his versatility as a wing player, capable of playing both shooting guard and small forward positions. His 6-foot-7 frame at 215 pounds provides him with the size to match up against larger opponents while maintaining the perimeter skills expected of a guard. He demonstrates range on his jump shot with a three-point shooting percentage that suggests improvement potential. His ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories reflects a team-first approach and basketball intelligence.
Notable Performances and Milestones
The defining moment of Luis’s collegiate career came during the 2024-25 Big East Championship. His clutch performance against Seton Hall secured the conference title for St. John’s, a milestone that propelled the program back into national prominence. His 21-point, 14-rebound, 5-assist game against Creighton showcased his ability to impact games in multiple ways against quality competition. The consensus All-American recognition validated his status as one of the top players in college basketball during his final season.
Reggie Jason “RJ” Luis Jr. Career Achievements
Luis accumulated significant honors throughout his collegiate career at UMass and St. John’s. His achievements span conference-level recognition to national acclaim, reflecting his development from a freshman contributor to one of college basketball’s premier players.
St. John’s Red Storm Highlights
His tenure at St. John’s produced his most significant accomplishments. The 2024-25 season saw him earn Big East Player of the Year honors while leading the Red Storm to a conference championship. His Big East Tournament MVP selection highlighted his performance during the most crucial games of the season. Being named a Consensus Second-team All-American placed him among the elite players nationwide.
UMass and Other Accolades
At UMass, Luis earned Atlantic 10 All-Freshman Team honors, establishing himself as one of the top newcomers in the conference. His Haggerty Award in 2025 recognized him as the top player in the New York metropolitan area, an honor that spans all collegiate conferences and schools in the region.
Reggie Jason “RJ” Luis Jr. Family
Family Background
Luis comes from a diverse family background with strong ties to his Dominican and Ecuadorian heritage. His father, Reggie Luis Charles, hails from the Dominican Republic, while his mother, Verito Luis, is from Ecuador. This multicultural family structure has influenced Luis’s identity and worldview, providing him with connections to multiple cultures and communities.
Personal Life
Beyond basketball, Luis maintains a close relationship with his family, including his two younger sisters, Racheal and Rylee. His multilingual abilities, fluently speaking both Spanish and English, reflect his diverse upbringing and have helped him connect with fans from various backgrounds. He continues to represent his heritage with pride throughout his basketball career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented Luis’s transition from college to professional basketball. After going undrafted despite his All-American credentials, he demonstrated his resilience by signing with the Utah Jazz shortly after the draft. His ability to land a two-way contract immediately following the draft showed that NBA teams valued his talent and potential, even without a draft selection.
His brief tenure with the Boston Celtics following the trade provided valuable exposure to a championship-caliber organization and professional training environment. Though he was waived before the regular season, the experience of training camp and preseason play helped him understand the demands of NBA-level competition. Signing with the Maine Celtics gave him a path to continue developing his game while pursuing his dream of an NBA roster spot.
The season outlook for Luis centers on his continued development as a professional player. His versatility, work ethic, and college achievements suggest he has the foundation to build upon. With time in the G League and continued refinement of his skills, Luis remains focused on earning a permanent spot on an NBA roster while representing his diverse heritage with distinction on and off the court.