The Instagram web page of St. John’s star RJ Luis Jr. has been scrubbed following the group’s second-round ouster to Arkansas within the NCAA event as on-line trolls have seemingly focused the 6-foot-7 guard over Saturday’s poor displaying.
Luis, the reigning Massive East Participant of the 12 months, authored a dreadful efficiency within the Spherical of 32, going 3-for-17 from the sector and 0-for-3 in three-point makes an attempt earlier than head coach Rick Pitino benched him within the ultimate minutes of the 75-66 loss.
The faculty junior’s Instagram web page isn’t obtainable as of Monday afternoon, with the platform indicating “the link may be broken or the profile may have been removed.”
Followers of Luis have since condemned these “attacking a young man over a bet,” together with WFAN’s Brandon Tierney.
“To hear RJ Luis’ social media was flooded w/such hate/negativity is a sad state of where we are/who we’ve become. Attacking a young man over a bet? Wow,” Tierney wrote Monday morning on X.
“He is an absolute gem of a human. Everything you would want in a son + caring/engaged family. Some people are truly evil.”
Rumble In The Backyard, a St. John’s fan account, additionally posted a screenshot of Luis’ since-deactivated Instagram web page and known as out the “disgusting” conduct exhibited by trolls.
“RJ Luis Jr. deleted his Instagram because of overwhelming harassment from degenerate gamblers and miserable freaks who didn’t watch a single second of college basketball up until this week. This s–t is disgusting,” the account posted early Monday.
The Instagram deactivation comes on the heels of the NCAA’s “Draw the Line” initiative, which has implored bettors to not harass athletes within the occasion of a loss.
Luis’ X web page remains to be stay as of Monday.
He obtained a slew of encouraging messages from customers in response to latest posts on his timeline, together with a re-share from the Godly Teachings web page that learn: “Follow God. Trust His plan. Praise God.”
“Heart and soul of the team, run it back. The bad days make the great ones sweeter,” one person penned.
Need to tune into as a lot March Insanity as you may? DIRECTV Stream and Hulu + Reside TV each have you ever coated with each channel you’ll want, plus free trials.
“Thanks for an amazing season RJ. You are not only a crazy talented player, but an amazing leader and role model. Hold your head high. You and your team made me fall in love with college basketball again. Go Johnnies!” one other fan exclaimed.
Luis, who averaged 18.2 factors, 7.2 rebounds and two assists for the Johnnies this season, expressed regret following Saturday’s dud.
“I let my teammates down,” he stated. “Should have been more of a leader.”
The No. 2 seed within the West Area, St. John’s magical season unraveled Saturday in Windfall by the hands of the No. 10 seed Razorbacks and longtime Pitino rival John Calipari.
Arkansas will subsequent face No. 3 Texas Tech within the Candy 16.
Calipari is in his first season with the Razorbacks after stepping down as Kentucky’s coach final April after 15 seasons.
