St. John’s wrapped up their finest basketball campaign in 25 years without any players hearing their names called on draft night. But that didn’t stop three key contributors from finding their way onto NBA rosters through alternative routes.
Former Red Storm Players Find Professional Homes
RJ Luis, who captured both Big East Player of the Year and Tournament Most Outstanding Player awards, has locked down a two-way deal with the Utah Jazz, league sources tell us.
Kadary Richmond landed with the Washington Wizards, and Aaron Scott will get his shot with the Boston Celtics during summer league action. Deivon Smith is still weighing his options moving forward.
Luis Charts Unconventional Route After Stellar Junior Campaign
Many draft experts pegged Luis as a possible late second-round selection, making his complete absence from the two-day affair quite surprising. His junior season numbers were hard to ignore: 18.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while carrying the Red Storm’s offensive load.
NBA evaluators saw flashes of potential but had reservations about his perimeter shooting reliability and court vision. “Making the jump from being the guy to finding your niche as a complementary piece – that’s tough,” one scout explained. “He’ll probably log serious G League minutes working on his shot and reading the game better.”
Draft Declaration and Strategic Decisions
Luis threw his hat in the draft ring back in March while also testing the transfer portal waters, though he opted to stay put.
Even with transfer opportunities on the table – some top players this spring reportedly fielded offers north of $2 million – Luis kept his sights set on professional ball. Both his representation and St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino felt the pro route made the most sense after their March Madness run ended against Arkansas in round two.
“The money ceiling in the league dwarfs anything college can offer, so really it was a no-brainer,” Luis shared before the draft. “I wanted to build on what I did as a sophomore, but injuries got in the way. Still, this past year felt like a breakthrough. Getting to the NBA and sticking – that’s been the dream all along.”
Financial Framework and What Comes Next
Two-way contracts for the 2025 season carry a salary just shy of $560,000. Luis’s deal fits this mold, giving him flexibility to move between the main roster and developmental league as needed.
Richmond and Scott face similar challenges proving they belong through their summer showcases, each hoping to carve out sustainable roles at basketball’s highest level.
Three former Red Storm players now have legitimate shots at NBA careers – not bad for a program that couldn’t get anyone drafted but clearly prepared its players for the professional ranks.
