The Boston Celtics waived RJ Luis Jr. in the hours leading up to tip-off against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. It was a preseason finale that ended with a game-winning floater by Xavier Tillman Sr. His swish propelled the hosts to a 110-108 win on the TD Garden parquet.
A day later, Boston signed Ron Harper Jr. to a two-way deal, filling the void created by parting with Luis. "I just came in and worked hard," he said Friday at the Auerbach Center. "I was kind of unaware of the opportunity that was going to present itself. A testament to the hard work and dedication, and the work that I put in with the team."
While Harper prevailed in the battle for the Celtics' final two-way roster spot, Luis isn't leaving the organization either. According to Noa Dalzell of Celtics Blog, the former UMass Amherst and St. John's standout signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the franchise. He will join its G League affiliate in Maine.
What RJ Luis Jr. brings to the table
Luis was the Red Storm's leading scorer last season. He averaged 18.2 points and earned Big East Player of the Year and Second-Team All-American honors.
While his three-point shot is a work in progress, he has the tools to be a disruptive defender in the G League right away. The NBA's first Ecuadorian player swiped 1.4 steals per game in his final collegiate campaign. He generated over one theft per contest in each of his three years in the NCAA.
The six-foot-seven wing has a six-foot-10.5-inch wingspan. Luis has the size, length, and athleticism to make an immediate impact as a versatile on-ball defender and someone who can create chaos while playing passing lanes and stunting to help against drives.
Working in the Celtics' infrastructure could also help him fine-tune his shot. The Miami, Florida, native was a career 31.4 percent three-point shooter in college. He launched 3.9 attempts from beyond the arc last season, converting them at a 33.6 percent clip.
Ron Harper Jr.'s feel for the game at both ends of the floor, his accuracy from three-point range, and his ability to come in cold and capitalize on his preseason opportunities helped earn him Boston's last two-way deal. It was primarily a testament to what a more experienced player, one now healthy and more confident in what he can do on the floor, showcased.
However, Luis, an undrafted rookie free agent, has the potential to grow into an intriguing 3&D option. In time, his development in Maine could put him on the radar of Celtics fans.