FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — TCU has added Robbie Avila to its roster after the former Saint Louis player was cleared to play by a judge but barred from returning to the Billikens because of roster restrictions.
Horned Frogs coach Jamie Dixon announced the signing of the 6-foot-10 center and reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Year late Thursday night.
That came after Dixon said earlier Thursday that he was contacted by Avila and his family after the fifth-year
senior exhausted “all options to play at Saint Louis” and became aware of the injury situation at TCU. The Horned Frogs are indefinitely without 6-10 post player Luke Bamgboye, a Texas Tech transfer.
Avila will be immediately eligible to play, but it was unclear if he would appear in TCU's game against Milwaukee on Friday night. The Horned Frogs' next game is at home against Texas A&M on Thursday.
The center became a sensation for his signature goggles during his first two seasons at Indiana State before playing last two seasons at Saint Louis.
Avila was granted a fifth year under a preliminary injunction, but the College Sports Commission ruled he couldn't play for Saint Louis because of roster restrictions.
The Billikens won a school-record 29 games last season behind Avila, reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament before losing to eventual national champion Michigan.
He averaged 12.8 points and 4.5 rebounds last season and has career averages of 14.5 points and 5.5 rebounds over his four college seasons. He is among a handful of centers in NCAA history with 200 made 3-pointers.
The Horned Frogs are 3-0 but needed double overtime for a 100-92 victory over UL Monroe at home on Tuesday.
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