Saint Louis transfer and reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Robbie Avila is finalizing a deal to join TCU, multiple outlets reported on Thursday.
Last week, the 6-foot-10 center was granted a preliminary
injunction by a St. Louis City Circuit judge to be allowed to play a fifth season in 2026-27.
Avila completed four college seasons and graduated from Saint Louis before going undrafted in June. He played in NBA Summer League games but never signed a professional contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. In September, he filed a lawsuit against the NCAA for another year of eligibility and enrolled in graduate courses at Saint Louis.
Avila's path to rejoining the Billikens was blocked by the College Sports Commission because the program's roster already was at its 15-player limit.
He averaged 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 26.3 minutes last season in 35 starts for the Billikens, who went 29-6 and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to eventual champion Michigan. He shot 49.7% from the field and 41.0% from 3-point range.
Avila has posted 1,990 points, 750 rebounds, 473 assists and 106 steals in 137 games (132 starts) in two seasons at Indiana State (2022-24) and two at Saint Louis.
TCU is off to a 3-0 start under head coach Jamie Dixon, who has guided the Horned Frogs to the NCAA Tournament five times since taking over in 2016-17.
--Field Level Media
