Preliminary Injunction Allows Robbie Avila to Return to Saint Louis Team

A Missouri judge has granted a preliminary injunction allowing Saint Louis star player Robbie Avila to return to his team for another year of eligibility.

The decision by Judge Jason Sengheiser comes just one day before the Billikens are set to face off against rival Missouri in a high-profile non-conference game. This could be a major boost for the team, as Avila is the reigning A-10 Player of the Year and was expected to suit up for his 2026-27 debut.

However, the College Sports Commission has announced that it will block Avila's return due to roster limitations. According to the commission, adding Avila to Saint Louis' existing 15-man roster would violate the terms of a federal injunctive relief settlement in House v. NCAA.

The CSC released a statement explaining its decision, saying that while it takes no position on Avila's eligibility, it cannot comply with a state court order that requires violating explicit terms of a federal settlement by providing an additional roster slot to Saint Louis University.

Avila is one of over 50 fifth-year seniors who are eligible but not currently playing at high-major programs.

The court's preliminary ruling in favor of Robbie Avila has sparked optimism for Saint Louis' upcoming season. If the decision stands, Avila's return would significantly bolster the team's chances of success.

Dubbed by fans with various nicknames, including Milk Chamberlain and Rob Wave, Avila is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable names in college basketball. His impressive skills on the court have earned him a reputation as a force to be reckoned with.

Last season, Avila averaged 12.8 points per game while shooting an impressive 41% from beyond the arc. He took an average of 4.6 three-point attempts per game and was part of a Saint Louis offense that ranked second in effective field goal percentage nationally.

Saint Louis' strong performance last year included a 24-1 start to the season, earning them an at-large bid and the No. 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Although they were ultimately eliminated by Michigan in the Round of 32, their first-round win over Georgia marked their first NCAA Tournament victory since 2014.

The team's chances of repeating this success would be greatly enhanced by Avila's return, as he would join a roster that already features four starters and two key rotation players who saw action in the Big Dance.

Saint Louis' offense has been nearly unstoppable this season, and a significant factor in their success is the team's ability to score from multiple angles. When Saint Louis' star player Robbie Avila was on the court, the team shot an impressive 63% at the rim, with nearly half of their total shots coming from layups.

This high percentage of rim shots can be attributed to Avila's unique skillset as a passer and his ability to draw defenders away from the basket. As a result, Saint Louis' offense has become increasingly difficult for opponents to defend.

Despite the team's strong performance without Avila, his potential return would undoubtedly boost their chances of repeating their success in future games.