Judge Allows Robbie Avila to Play Fifth Year at Saint Louis

Saint Louis forward Robbie Avila will take the court for a fifth season of college basketball.

St. Louis City Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser issued a preliminary injunction on Thursday. The ruling allows the 23-year-old athlete to compete for the remainder of the year. It also grants the Billikens an additional roster spot to accommodate his return. A full trial on the case remains pending and could take several months to resolve.

Avila became a central figure in the program after following coach Josh Schertz from Indiana State to St. Louis. The 6-foot-10 forward previously won the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year award at his former school. He is known for his consistent production and distinctive eyewear. As a junior at Saint Louis, he averaged 17.3 points per game. His subsequent season saw his scoring average dip to 12.8 points. Over his career, he has started 132 of 137 games.

The team enters the new season with high expectations. The Billikens finished the previous year with a 29-6 record. They claimed the Atlantic 10 regular-season title and earned a No. 9 seed in the NCAA tournament. Their postseason run ended with a loss to Michigan, the eventual champion, after a first-round victory over Georgia.

This legal victory is part of a larger trend among college athletes. The NCAA announced a shift to a five-for-five eligibility model earlier this year. The new rule grants players five seasons of play over five years. The period starts when a player turns 19 or graduates from high school, whichever happens first. The rule did not intend to apply to the class of 2022, which had already exhausted its eligibility under older guidelines.

Most judges have ruled in favor of athletes in these recent lawsuits. Many suits included multiple players in similar situations. Gonzaga coach Mark Few recently argued the NCAA made an error in the new agreement. He advocated for fairness in allowing the class of 2022 to participate. Some players, including Avila, have spent time with professional teams. Avila played in the NBA Summer League for the Los Angeles Lakers but never signed a professional contract.

The eligibility issue extends to other players as well. Missouri forward Mark Mitchell faces Avila on Friday night. Mitchell played for the Denver Nuggets over the summer. He was part of a lawsuit in Kentucky that recently secured eligibility for 38 football and basketball players. Duke coach Jon Scheyer noted that these legal cases are expected to continue throughout the season. Some players may gain temporary eligibility only to lose it later on appeal.