Louisville Transfer Target R.J. Luis Commits to St. John's

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Over the last week-and-a-half, the Louisville men's basketball program has made real strides in the transfer portal after going a month-plus without adding a transfer. The Cardinals landed former Miami forward Danilo Jovanovich on Apr. 28, then former USC guard/forward Tre White on Derby Day.

That being said, another portal target of theirs is opting to head somewhere else. Former UMass guard R.J. Luis announced Sunday that he is teaming up with former Louisville head coach Rick Pitino and heading to St. John's. Luis paid a visit to the Cardinals last month, but is also coming off of a visit to the Red Storm.

The 6-foot-7, 196-pound shooting guard would have been a great addition to Louisville's backcourt. Playing in 27 games with 10 starts for the Minutemen last season, Luis averaged 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while also shooting 45.5 percent from the field and 34.8 percent on three-point attempts. The true freshman was named to the Atlantic-10 All-Rookie Team for his efforts.

This came in spite of him not being a highly-regarded recruit coming out of high school. The Miami (Fla.) Mt. Zion Prep product ranked as just the No. 233 player in the Class of 2022 according to the 247Sports Composite.

If there's any silver lining for Louisville fans here, Luis decision keeps the Cardinals in the running to land elite 2023 prospect Mackenzie Mgbako. UofL has just one scholarship left on their roster, and barring someone else decommitting or entering the transfer portal, Luis' commitment would have pulled them out of the Mgbako sweepstakes. Mgbako is tentatively in line to visit Louisville later this week.

The Cardinals went just 4-28 in their first year Payne, and roster management has been in full swing since the end of the season. Louisville has seen seven players enter the transfer portal, including leading scorer El Ellis. Only Mike James, J.J. Traynor, Brandon Huntley-Hatfield and Emmanuel Okorafor are returning.

Louisville is welcoming in five-star center Dennis Evans, five star reclass guard/forward Trentyn Flowers, four-star wings Kaleb Glenn and Curtis Williams Jr., and JUCO guard Koron Davis as part of their 2023 class. Former Illinois guard Skyy Clark former Miami forward Danilo Jovanovich and former USC guard/forward Tre White are also transferring in.

(Photo of R.J. Luis via UMass Athletics)

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