Louisiana judge temporarily blocks the SEC from sanctioning LSU for playing ex-pro RJ Luis Jr.

Baton Rouge, La. (AP) — A Louisiana judge has blocked the Southeastern Conference from penalizing LSU for potentially adding ex-NBA player RJ Luis Jr. to the Tigers' roster. The injunction, issued by state district Judge Ronald R. Johnson, also prevents LSU from citing SEC policies as grounds for not allowing Luis to play. The ruling applies from November 3 until a scheduled hearing on November 13, at which point SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and LSU officials are required to testify.

Johnson's order followed a request from Luis' attorneys, Elliot Abrams and Tony Clayton, who are seeking an expansion of a preliminary injunction against the NCAA that Johnson issued in late August. The NCAA maintains Luis should be ineligible due to insufficient withdrawal from the 2025 NBA Draft. The SEC, however, has long prohibited teams from adding players with notable professional experience to their rosters.

In September, the conference tightened its enforcement of this rule, allowing the commissioner to suspend coaches, impose financial penalties, or restrict voting privileges on conference matters. LSU initially declined to add Luis to its football roster in early September following concerns from fellow SEC members. Two players, Dae'Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, had previously been granted a preliminary injunction against the NCAA and SEC by a Baton Rouge judge, leading the SEC to file a federal case accusing LSU of violating its First Amendment right to freedom of association.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill criticized the SEC's stance as "garbage" and filed briefs supporting LSU, with herself named as a defendant in the case.