NEW YORK, NY — As soon as RJ Luis Jr. made the life-altering decision in the spring of 2023 to transfer to St. John’s University, the 22-year-old out of Miami, Florida, with Dominican and Ecuadorian family heritage, grew a strong desire to represent all of New York City and the Latino community.
Leading the Red Storm men’s basketball program to a Big East regular season championship and a Big East Tournament title, while also being named the 2024-2025 Big East Player of the Year and 2025 Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player, it’s safe to say now, Luis Jr. was more than successful in the two-year venture he sought out.
Though, with all of the success and winning benefits coming his way, month on month, he never changed or switched-up his attitude, a testament to him in the current climate of collegiate athletics.
Dominating on and off the court, RJ Luis Jr. left his mark at St. John’s in basketball and in the classroom, finishing with a 4.0 GPA – Image Credit: St. John’s Men’s Basketball
During the entirety of the ride, on nearly each and every occasion in front of media and members of the press, Luis Jr. paid homage to his Dominican and Ecuadorian ties as well as to God, praising him for leading him on his inspirational journey.
In result to his extraordinary season on-and-off the hardwood, representing the Big Apple and Latinos across the globe to the fullest, the six-seven wing was named Athlete of the Year by La Unión Deportiva Dominicana de Nueva York—UDEDONY—during its Fourth Annual Athlete of the Year Awards Gala on Thursday, April 3rd, at the Directorate of Dominican Culture Abroad located in Upper Manhattan, New York.
All season long—from the jump—the Dominican-Ecuadorian from Miami gave back to all of NYC and the Latino community, yet on that April 3rd night, the roles were reversed. The Dominican and Latino community as a whole, gave back to him.
Board of Directors and RJ Luis Jr. as he is announced the 2025 Athlete of the Year by the UDEDONY – Image Credit: Latino Sports
All of the award winners from the Fourth Annual UDEDONY Athlete of the Year Awards Gala – Image Credit: Latino Sports
A beautiful tribute and award presentation set out by the UDEDONY board of directors—president, José Ortiz, Fausto de la Cruz, vice president; Evaristo Madrigal, general secretary; Roberto Rojas, treasurer; and members Kerlyn Pichardo, Andrez Rodríguez, and Franklyn Pérez.
Latino Sports recognizes their tremendous efforts in organizing such an important event and thanks all who were involved.
RJ Luis Jr. and UDEDONY president José Ortiz pose for a photo – Image Credit: Martin Zapata/UDEDONY
“Today we celebrate not only the achievements of our athletes, but also the spirit of determination and perseverance that characterizes the Dominican sports community in New York. These awards are a recognition of their talent, sacrifice, and passion for sports. This is just the beginning of what we’re building. We want every Dominican athlete in New York to feel the support of their community and have the necessary resources to pursue their dreams,” Ortiz emphasized during his opening remarks.
“It feels great to be recognized throughout the whole community, especially here in New York, where I played most of my collegiate basketball at St John’s,” said Luis Jr. in an exclusive one-on-one interview following the award gala.
RJ Luis Jr. became one-of-six players to ever sweep the Big East Conference awards in a given season (BE POTY, BE regular season champ, BE tournament champ, & BE tournament MVP) – Image Credit: St. John’s Men’s Basketball
“I did two years there, so it’s a great feeling and an honor just to get that kind of respect from the Dominican community. It’s just a blessing, and a really great opportunity. Not many kids get to play in Madison Square Garden and I was able to call it home. It was a great two years at St. John’s and I’m just excited for what the future holds.”
Zuby Ejiofor and RJ Luis Jr. during the 92nd Annual Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Award ceremony where Ejiofor was named to the All-Met First Team and Luis Jr. won the Lt. Frank J. Haggerty Award – Image Credit: St. John’s Men’s Basketball
Providing advice to those coming after him, currently in elementary, middle, and high school, with the hopes of one day participating in Division I collegiate sports, some of whom were in attendance for the UDEDONY awards gala, Luis Jr. stated, “Just to keep on working. All the countless hours and the times that people don’t see you, is the most important.”
RJ Luis Jr. speaking to the youth during the UDEDONY’s Athlete of the Year Award Gala – Image Credit: Martin Zapata/UDEDONY
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