SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey Takes Stance On RJ Luis’ Eligibility Case At LSU

By Staff Reporter•Aug 21, 202612:06 pm•

Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is pushing back against the idea of former professional athletes returning to college sports as LSU basketball continues to seek eligibility for former St. John’s star RJ Luis Jr.

According to ESPN, Sankey filed an affidavit in an East Baton Rouge Parish court last week asking Judge Ronald Johnson to uphold NCAA rules preventing athletes who have signed professional contracts from returning to college. Sankey argued that allowing former pros to return creates a “competitive disadvantage and fundamental unfairness” for current college athletes.

quote:
"These rules are grounded in the principle that athletics are an integral part of the academic experience," Sankey wrote. "The rules align the time permitted for college athletics with the pursuit of an undergraduate education and further the important purpose of preserving opportunities for future student-athletes to participate in college sports."

Luis, the 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year, went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft before signing a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz and later being traded to the Boston Celtics. He appeared in three NBA preseason games but never played in an NBA or G League regular-season game. Luis has committed to LSU and is seeking another season of college eligibility, with a preliminary injunction hearing scheduled for Monday, August 24, in Baton Rouge.

The situation puts Sankey on the opposite side of an eligibility battle involving one of his own SEC schools. LSU and first-year head coach Will Wade are also awaiting eligibility decisions for several other additions to the Tigers' 2026-27 roster.

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tigerfoot•3 hours

I’m team Sankey. I know for LSU it sucks this year, but this horse needs back in the barn

GeauxldMember•3 hours

While I agree with the sentiment, if the SEC doesn’t allow it, some other conference will. And if you keep taking the moral high ground while others around you play to the margins, you’re going to end up with a product that isn’t competitive (see Dabo).

ThomasShelby•2 hours

I follow your idea, but I would ask what other conferences allow this right now(question from ignorance)? The Dabo comparison seems like an “apples and oranges” one on the surface, assuming no other conferences are doing this. Transfers are 100% agreed upon in college sports, and Dabo is taking either a holier than thou or downright lazy approach (not wanting to do the scouting work) with it. Maybe he knows Clemson doesn’t have the pockets everyone else does so he is trying a loyalty route. Any way you slice it, he is going to change eventually, or he won’t be there anymore. But this is a separate issue, and it’s getting ridiculous with these players going to the pros and then sliding back for an internship to make some money.

CDawson•3 hours

Sankey is useless but he is right on this one.

drdrfaulkner19•3 hours

This may also affect two Ole Miss players: TE Dae’Quan Wright and DL Zxavian Harris.

JimTiger72•3 hours

And the Will Wade fanboys melt

tigahlovah•2 hours

You are so right. It ABSOLUTELY SUCKS when LSU has a winning basketball program and is in the tournament yearly. We were so much better off under McMahon. You always hit the nail right on the head Jimmy.

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