
via Imago
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; St. John’s basketball guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) dribbles during the second half of a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credits: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

via Imago
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; St. John’s basketball guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) dribbles during the second half of a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Mandatory Credits: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Think about chasing an NBA dream. Now imagine doing it while representing both your Dominican and Ecuadorian roots. RJ carries that mix with pride, showing what his parents taught him. Reggie and Verónica Luis didn’t just raise a player; they raised a young man who values where he comes from. Their support is the quiet strength behind his success, and of course you’ll want to know them.
Who Are RJ Luis Jr.’s Parents?
Meet RJ’s mom and dad: Reggie Luis Charles and Verónica Luis. Reggie comes from the Dominican Republic. He’s tall- 6-foot-7, and knows basketball well. He played pro ball overseas for 15 years in places like Ecuador and Venezuela. Verónica, who RJ calls “Verito,” brings Ecuadorian spirit to the family. Their backgrounds aren’t just history; they’re part of RJ’s heart.
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Both his parents achieved something special. They earned sports scholarships to study in the U.S. This wasn’t luck- it took skill and drive. Their own athletic success set an example. They showed RJ, that sports and school can go together. This lesson became their family’s playbook.
RJ Luis Jr.’s Family Background and Early Life
Reggie and Verónica made a lively, bilingual home in Miami. It was a place full of energy, discipline, and pride in their cultures. Sports and learning were always connected. This was the start for RJ and his sisters, Racheal and Rylee. The house felt like its own team.
RJ, born November 27, 2002, is the oldest. His sister Racheal, born March 21, 2010, is 15 now and already a standout athlete. She shines in basketball and volleyball for her high school team, even though she’s younger than most players. She’s won state titles and a national volleyball championship. RJ himself says “Racheal is the true athlete in the family”. Youngest sister Rylee, about 14, tries volleyball, basketball, and cheerleading. She’s RJ’s biggest fan.
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Parental Influence on RJ Luis Jr.’s Basketball Journey
Reggie and Verónica didn’t just watch from the stands- they guided RJ every step. When he first touched a basketball at age 5 in Miami, they were there. He played soccer, baseball, and other sports too, but chose basketball full-time in 7th grade.
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Does RJ Luis Jr.'s story prove that family support is the ultimate game-changer in sports?
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Seeing Racheal win in volleyball and basketball, and Rylee trying new sports, showed the whole family loves action. Reggie’s own pro career was a huge help. He’d faced tough players and knew the basketball world, even having connections like Karl Towns Sr. (father of NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns). That experience gave RJ an edge.
Reggie and Verónica also made sure RJ felt proud of his Dominican and Ecuadorian roots. Instilling in him virtues and values: when you play, you represent your communities. RJ took this to heart. He often talks about playing for “the whole Latin community”– a mission his parents gave him.
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Relationship of RJ Luis Jr. with His Parents
RJ is incredibly close to his parents. He doesn’t hide it. He thanks them openly for their sacrifices and belief in him, especially when others doubted his talent. This love isn’t for show. When he talks about them, he often gets emotional, showing how real it is.
When he won Big East Player of the Year, his speech said it all. With tears, RJ shared: “Mom & Dad, all the sacrifices they’ve done for me to get here truly means a lot. Dad, thank you for everything. You truly are the blueprint, the one person that believed in me from the beginning.” Seeing his mom cry gets him every time too: “I told my mom… please don’t cry… as soon as I seen her cry, the waterworks came down… she’s really my rock.” Reggie even moved to New York during RJ’s college years to stay near him.
Verónica fiercely protects her son, defending him publicly against critics. RJ always credits his family for his wins. Saying their “unwavering encouragement” kept him going. It’s safe to say: Reggie and Verónica are more than parents- they’re his foundation.
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Conclusion
RJ Luis Jr.’s path to the NBA started long before he joined the Celtics. Reggie and Verónica’s own sports scholarships set the stage. Their lively Miami home taught him pride and staying connected to their roots. When recruiters overlooked him early on, his family’s faith never wavered. Racheal’s tears and Rylee’s cheers prove this is a true sports family. Reggie was his guide. Verónica was his strength. Their story reminds us- behind every star, there’s a family lighting the way.
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Does RJ Luis Jr.'s story prove that family support is the ultimate game-changer in sports?