Judge Orders Saint Louis to Allow Robbie Avila to Play for Fifth Season
A Missouri federal judge ruled that the NCAA cannot block the A-10 Player of the Year from joining a full roster, clearing the path for his return in Friday's game against rival Missouri.
By Ethan Cooper ·
Saint Louis forward Robbie Avila will suit up for the Billikens on Friday, one day after Missouri Judge Jason Sengheiser granted him a preliminary injunction. The ruling allows the reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Year to compete for a fifth season of eligibility just before his team faces longtime rival Missouri in a non-conference matchup.
Avila, who has earned nicknames including Milk Chamberlain and Cream Abdul-Jabbar, is expected to make his 2026-27 debut for head coach Josh Schertz. His return resolves a legal dispute that hinged on his status as a fifth-year senior. Sengheiser determined that the NCAA could not enforce its roster limits to prevent Avila from playing, despite Saint Louis already having a 15-man squad.
A central point of contention was Avila's agreement with the Los Angeles Lakers. He had verbally committed to an Exhibit 10 contract but had not officially signed the document. The judge’s decision effectively overrides the NCAA’s objection based on that pending professional deal. Kevin Sweeney of Sports Illustrated notes that there are currently 53 fifth-year seniors who are eligible to play at high-major schools, compared to 16 who are not.
The decision strengthens Saint Louis’ position as a top-25 contender. Last season, Avila averaged 12.8 points per game and shot 41% from three-point range on 4.6 attempts. His presence on the court drove Saint Louis’ offense to the second-highest effective field goal percentage in the nation. The team finished the previous campaign with a 24-1 record and earned a No. 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
In the postseason, the Billikens defeated Georgia 102-77 in the first round before losing to eventual champion Michigan in the Round of 32. That victory marked Saint Louis’ first win in the NCAA Tournament since 2014. With Avila back, the team retains its core scoring group, including Trey Green and Ishan Sharma, who combined with Avila to make 233 three-pointers last year.
Avila’s physical impact extended beyond perimeter shooting. When he played, Saint Louis shot 63% at the rim. His ability to draw defenders to the basket and distribute the ball created high-efficiency scoring opportunities for his teammates. The Billikens now have four starting players returning from the previous team’s NCAA Tournament run.
The projected starting lineup includes guards Trey Green, Quentin Jones, Ishan Sharma, and Kellen Thames, alongside Avila at the forward position. Bench options include forward Alon Michaeli and guard Amari McCottry. The team will test this roster composition in Friday’s contest against Missouri.
