Full Breakdown
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey Files Affidavit to Block Pro Athletes’ Return to College Sports
8/21/2026, 11:28:52 AM
Core Event: Affidavit Targeting RJ Luis’ Eligibility
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey submitted an affidavit in an East Baton Rouge Parish court asking Judge Ronald Johnson to uphold NCAA rules that bar athletes who have signed professional contracts from competing at the college level. The filing focuses on former St. John’s star RJ Luis, a 2024-25 Big East Player of the Year who signed a two-way NBA contract in 2025 and was later traded to the Boston Celtics. Luis is seeking a preliminary injunction—scheduled for later in August—to play for LSU in the 2026-27 season.
Background & Context: NCAA Eligibility Rules and Recent Lawsuits
The NCAA’s eligibility framework, revised in June 2026, permits athletes a five-season window within five years but maintains that players who have received professional compensation are ineligible. In February 2025, Sankey filed a similar objection to Alabama’s Charles Bediako after the former G League player returned to the Crimson Tide; a Louisiana judge upheld the NCAA’s stance.
A separate lawsuit involving 32 athletes—including three current NFL players—resulted in a temporary restraining order allowing those athletes to compete this fall, illustrating the broader challenge to NCAA eligibility standards.
Data & Statistics: Athletes Involved and LSU Roster Impact
- RJ Luis: Signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz, later traded to Boston; appeared in three NBA preseason games (eight minutes total); waived by the Maine Celtics due to injury.
- LSU men’s basketball: Four players—Divine Ugochukwu, Abdi Bashir Jr., Austin Nunez, Mouhamed Dioubate—are confirmed eligible. The program has added UCLA transfer Skyy Clark and awaits decisions for international prospects Brice Dessert, Marcio Santos, Saliou Niang, Michael Ruzic, and former NBA draftee Yam Madar.
- Other athletes: A court-issued temporary restraining order covers 32 athletes seeking to retain college eligibility, three of whom are active NFL players.
Official Statements & Responses
Luis’ attorneys cite precedent that the NCAA permits players who signed contracts with European leagues to compete, arguing that Louisiana law bars arbitrary privilege.
Criticism & Opposition
Attorneys representing Luis criticize the NCAA’s position as inconsistent, noting that the association already allows certain professional contracts to coexist with collegiate competition.
On-the-Ground Reports: LSU’s Eligibility Uncertainty
Local reports indicate LSU’s roster is in flux. With only four guaranteed players, the Tigers’ outlook hinges on multiple eligibility hearings. Coach Will Wade has acknowledged that recruiting strategy depends heavily on court decisions affecting Luis and pending international prospects.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Permitting former professional athletes to return to competition creates a competitive disadvantage and fundamental unfairness for current student-athletes who have not pursued a professional sports career but instead have maintained their commitment to the collegiate athletics model,” — Greg Sankey, SEC commissioner
- “These rules are grounded in the principle that athletics are an integral part of the academic experience,” — Greg Sankey, SEC commissioner
What’s Next: Upcoming Legal Proceedings
A preliminary injunction hearing for RJ Luis is set for later in August in the same East Baton Rouge Parish courthouse. The outcome will influence LSU’s roster composition for the 2026-27 season and could shape future NCAA eligibility litigation. The NCAA has indicated it will appeal any ruling that permits Luis to compete.
