Growing up in Miami, Florida, Rj Luis Jr., our ambassador, cherished the excitement and unpredictability of March Madness, spending countless hours watching the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament with family and friends.
Among his most memorable March Madness moments are Kris Jenkins’ championship-winning buzzer-beater for Villanova against North Carolina in 2016 and Jalen Suggs’ incredible half-court shot for Gonzaga in the 2021 Final Four against UCLA.
On Thursday night, March 20th, everything changes for Rj Luis Jr. as he, a junior combo-guard for St. John’s Red Storm, prepares to experience March Madness firsthand. Representing all Dominicans and Ecuadorians, he will lead St. John’s (30-4), the No. 2 seed in the West Region of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, against No. 15 Omaha (22-12) at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.
“I believe the tournament is highly unpredictable,” said Rj Luis Jr., the Big East Player of the Year and Big East Tournament Most Outstanding Player, as he readies for the Red Storm’s trip to Providence. “That’s the best way to put it. The seedings don’t matter; any team can emerge victorious.”
“My mindset is to strive for victory in every game and treat each one as if it were my last. It’s a win-or-go-home scenario, and it’s essential to respect every team in the tournament.”
Scheduled to tip-off at 9:45 PM (Eastern Time) or 8:45 PM (Ecuador Time), Thursday night’s game marks the Red Storm’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019.
Setting New Trends On and Off the Court
Following his impressive performance last Saturday, scoring 29 points in the Big East Tournament championship against Creighton, Rj Luis Jr. has become a New York sensation, leading St. John’s to its first Big East tournament victory since 2000. He has felt an outpouring of love and support from New Yorkers, as well as from the Dominican Republic and Ecuador.
“My Instagram has certainly been buzzing,” he remarked, referring to the surge in followers and the heartfelt messages on his posts. “I’ve received tremendous support from the Latin community.”
Expressing his excitement about representing his Dominican and Ecuadorian heritage on the prestigious NCAA Tournament stage, Rj Luis Jr. stated, “It’s going to be incredible. I’ll do my utmost to display both the Dominican and Ecuadorian flags since this is such a significant platform. March Madness is a month dedicated to the tournament, and I believe it will be fantastic.”
“It promises to be a thrilling experience, with ample exposure.”
One of Nine Dominicans and the Only Ecuadorian in NCAA March Madness
Rj Luis Jr., whose father, Reggie Luis Charles, hails from La Romana, Dominican Republic, is one of nine Dominicans participating in this year’s NCAA March Madness Tournament. The list includes:
- Rj Luis Jr. (St. John’s)
- Chad Baker-Mazara (Auburn)
- Boogie Fland (Arkansas)
- Koby Brea (Kentucky)
- Andersson García (Texas A&M)
- Owen Aquino (Liberty)
- Jordan Gerónimo (Maryland)
- Chris Mañon (Vanderbilt)
- Christian Fermin (VCU)
With his mother, Maria Verónica Luis, having grown up in Ecuador, Rj Luis Jr. also holds the distinction of being the only participant in the tournament with Ecuadorian heritage.
“I’m committed to highlighting these countries and giving them the recognition they deserve,” he affirmed. “I want to make sure to mention them because they represent my roots, and that’s significant to me.”
“My goal is to make them proud while continuing to play hard and represent not only them but also the city of New York and St. John’s University as a whole.”
Quotes by Rj Rj Luis Jr.
“I’m going to do my best to put those countries out there and make sure I give my little shoutouts. It’s important to mention them because those are my roots, and that’s where I came from.”
“I feel like the tournament is very unpredictable. The best way to describe it is that it doesn’t matter what team has the higher seed; anyone can win. My mentality is to try to win every game and treat every game like it’s the last one—it’s a win-or-go-home situation. And, of course, respect each and every team in the tournament.”
“My Instagram has definitely been jumping. I’ve been receiving a lot of support from the Latin community.”
“It’s going to be crazy. I’ll do my best to showcase the Dominican and Ecuadorian flags on this grand stage. March Madness provides a whole month dedicated to the tournament, and I think it’s going to be great. It’s going to be a fun experience with plenty of exposure.”
“I’m going to do my best to highlight those countries and ensure I give them recognition. They are my roots, and that’s significant to me. I aim to make them proud while representing not only them but also the city of New York, St. John’s University, and Miami, the city of my birth and upbringing.
