Player Profile: 2026 G RJ Livingston

Randy “RJ” Livingston Jr. is carving his own path.

That path includes a move from Florida to Louisiana.

The 2026 6-foot-2 guard is officially headed to Isidore Newman in New Orleans this fall to play for his dad Randy Livingston Sr., an 11-year NBA veteran and head coach at the school he suited up for in high school as a McDonald’s All-American.

Livingston Jr. told me that one of the biggest reasons behind the move was his desire to be coached by his dad and have that experience. Isidore Newman has won consecutive Division III Louisiana state titles and has been a state runner-up and final four finisher since Livingston Sr. was hired in 2018.

AAU Season Experiences

Currently, Livingston Jr. is playing on the Nike EYBL circuit with LivOn Basketball. He said playing up is something he’s been used to for quite a while.

“I’ve always played up since I was like in second grade. I played 15U the last two years against guys like Robert Wright and Dylan Harper,” Livingston Jr. said. “I don’t think it was really much of a jump, but it was definitely a learning lesson against the San Antonio Future in those games. Playing against those type of guards of that caliber has helped my game a lot.”

Coming out of the first live period in April, Livingston Jr. said he learned a ton and got a ton of good feedback from college coaches in attendance.

In terms of AAU ball versus high school ball, he said the style of play isn’t drastically different for him. The amount of games played is something he alluded to as well as the ability to shake off mistakes and limit those moving forward.

High School Basketball Experiences

During his freshman year, Livingston Jr. suited up for Ft. Lauderdale Westminster Academy. The Lions lost in the Class 3A region final to eventual state champion Riviera Prep this past February.

Livingston Jr. came off the bench and played very strong minutes as a lead ballhandler and floor pusher.

“We had a lot of really good talent, big names. Alex [Constanza], DJ [Wimbley], Jaylen [Carey] Alex [Lloyd] and myself,” he said. “I think for our first year together, I feel like we definitely could have gone all the way to states. So, it was a bit disappointing.”

I asked him what was the biggest difference in the style of basketball on varsity as a freshman, and this is what he had to say.

“This year we played against a lot of older teams like Myers Park at the City of Palms. They are a pretty old team, so I feel like with physicality, it got better throughout the season with me,” Livingston Jr. said. “It threw me off like maybe the first two games and then after that I was fine. Playing more physically has helped me now playing 16U.”

He took full advantage of varsity basketball experiences by suiting up for Ft. Lauderdale Calvary Christian as an 8th grader winning a Class 3A state title in the process.

Livingston Jr. says he learned a lot about maturity and mentality during his 8th grade season. He called going to high school a really big step and that it helped him get a good taste of the next level at Calvary Christian.

Basketball Journey

Livingston Jr. has always been around hoops because of his dad. He said he went to games whenever he could growing up.

At age four was when he started playing organized basketball and he never looked back.

“I think at a young age, I was always told that I was gonna be pretty good. So, I think it just came about and I was watching a lot of games,” he said. “I generally just started loving it and knew I could be good.”

Currently, Livingston Jr. has four offers on his plate from St. John’s, Michigan State, Georgetown and California. He also has interest from Miami, UCF, USF, Georgia and Ohio State.

He said there isn’t one particular school that stands out from the pack as of now, but they all check on him throughout the season and summer equally.

The main focus right now for Livingston Jr. is his body.

“I’ve been lifting a lot more,” he said. I’m just staying in the gym, being a gym rat, putting up a lot of shots, muscle memory and little stuff like that.”

In terms of his biggest strength, he says he doesn’t have many weaknesses currently but pointed to his ability to use the pick and roll to his full advantage.

As for the biggest life lesson, his dad has taught him, this is what Livingston Jr. said.

“I would say the biggest one that I’ve always held onto is that you have your own path. Everything’s God’s timing,” he said. “That’s really what he’s always pushed on me. ‘Your path is different than a lot of others.’ That is the main thing”

Quick Hitters

What NBA, pro or collegiate player do you model your game after and why?

RL: Bones Hyland on the Los Angeles Clippers. The way he is able to score the ball and facilitate for others and his defensive tenacity.

What is a fun fact about you that someone might not know? Like a hobby or something funny.

RL: I would say video games are my thing. I recently like slowed down on video games to focus on school obviously. But 2K or Call of Duty are my favorites to play.

What is it about the game that simply, simply makes you want to be driven to succeed as you look towards the future?

RL: I would probably just say like the end goal for me I think is a lot like other players, the NBA. That would be a dream come true. I’ve always dreamt about that. Also, being able to also help others, not just in my community, just around the world and inspire younger kids to play.”

A Look Ahead

Livingston Jr. is currently ranked as one of the top point guards in the 2026 class by ESPN (view here). His future is bright. As a super gifted ballhandler, he can breeze by defenders, set up teammates with high IQ feeds and get to the rack for an array of finishes.

Growing in height and maturity, defensively, Livingston Jr. is a lock down defender and a composed one at that. He doesn’t get rattled much and you can simply see his upside with each possession and game he plays.

Expect his offer and interest list to take off here this summer and beyond as he suits up for Isidore Newman during June high school team camps and for LivOn Basketball on the Nike EYBL circuit the rest of this summer.

Not only is Livingston Jr. confident as can be, but he also plays with a chip on a shoulder and is a very respectful and humble kid. His future is super bright.

Jake Perper has been a sports writer since 2010 and a basketball scout since 2015. He was the Southeast Scouting Director for the Prep Hoops Circuit and the lead scout for Prep Hoops’ Florida site for seven years. You can follow him on Twitter @thehoopvibe.