Sports · Basketball · 1 hr ago
Robbie Avila finalizing deal to play for TCU after Saint Louis roster block
Robbie Avila is finalizing a deal to play for TCU after he could not return to Saint Louis.
A Missouri judge granted the 6-foot-10 center a fifth year of college eligibility, but the College Sports Commission said Saint Louis had no open roster place under its 15-player limit.
TCU can add him because a designated student-athlete does not count toward its roster cap, even though TCU also lists 15 players.
Avila was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year last season, averaging 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists for Saint Louis.
His scoring, passing and three-point shooting could strengthen TCU's offense, which has a gap at center and an injured transfer, Luke Bamgboye.
TCU is coached by Jamie Dixon and competes in the Big 12, while Saint Louis plays in the Atlantic 10.
When Avila can play for TCU is still unclear; he is expected to head to campus this week as the sides finish the deal.
Robbie Avila is finalizing a deal to play for TCU after a roster limit blocked his return to Saint Louis.
A Missouri judge granted Avila a preliminary injunction last week, giving him a fifth year of college eligibility.
The College Sports Commission said Saint Louis had no roster slot available for him under the applicable roster limit.
Avila is expected to go to TCU’s campus this week, but it is unclear when he can play.
Last season, he averaged 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists for Saint Louis.
- Who
- Robbie Avila, the former Saint Louis center, is finalizing a deal with TCU.
- What
- He is expected to join TCU after a roster limit prevented his return to Saint Louis.
- When
- The deal was reported on Nov. 12, 2026. He is expected on campus this week; his playing date is unclear.
- Where
- TCU in Fort Worth, Texas; Avila had been at Saint Louis.
- Why
- A roster limit prevented Saint Louis from adding him to its full 15-player roster.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A Missouri judge granted Avila a preliminary injunction for a fifth year of eligibility.
Reports said Avila was finalizing a deal to play for TCU after the College Sports Commission blocked his return to Saint Louis.
Avila is expected to head to TCU’s campus.
- Eligibility
- Fifth year granted through a preliminary injunction
- Saint Louis roster
- 15 players; the commission said no slot was available
- TCU roster
- 15 players, including a walk-on exempt from the cap as a designated student-athlete
- 2025-26 statistics
- 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game
- Three-point shooting
- 41% last season
3 sources
What people are saying
Mr. Avila may be eligible to play college basketball this season, but there is no roster slot available for him at Saint Louis University.