Judge allows St. Louis forward Robbie Avila to play fifth college season

St. Louis forward Robbie Avila received a preliminary injunction on Thursday that permits him to play a fifth season of college basketball. St. Louis City Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser issued the order, which also allows the Billikens to add a sixteenth roster spot for the 23-year-old athlete.

The ruling clears Avila to play for the remainder of the season until a full trial takes place. That trial could last several months. The legal victory came just one day before the Billikens face the University of Missouri on Friday night.

Avila stands 6-foot-10 and has been a central figure for the program since following coach Josh Schertz from Indiana State to St. Louis. He won the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year award during his time at Indiana State. He is also known for his distinctive eyewear.

The forward has maintained consistent production throughout his career. As a junior, he averaged 17.3 points per game. His subsequent season saw his scoring average drop to 12.8 points. He started 132 of his 137 career games, indicating his importance to the team's structure.

The Billikens enter the season with high expectations after finishing last year with a 29-6 record. They captured 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 win over Georgia.

Avila's legal battle is part of a series of lawsuits filed by college athletes across various sports. These cases followed the NCAA's announcement earlier this year of a shift to a five-for-five eligibility model. The new rule grants athletes five seasons of play over a five-year period. This period begins when an athlete turns 19 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs first.

The rule was not intended to apply to players from the class of 2022 who had already used up their eligibility under previous guidelines. Most recent legal challenges have resulted in rulings for the plaintiffs. Many of these suits include other athletes in similar situations. Coaches and players remain uncertain because NCAA appeals could potentially overturn these rulings and render athletes ineligible again.

Gonzaga coach Mark Few stated that the NCAA made an error in the new agreement. He argued for fairness in allowing class of 2022 athletes to participate and noted the confusion caused by the transition. Many in the coaching community share this sentiment and are watching the legal proceedings closely.

Avila's case includes the complexity of his time with professional teams. He played for the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA Summer League but never signed a professional contract. This hybrid experience has become a point of discussion in eligibility debates. Missouri forward Mark Mitchell, who faces Avila on Friday, also played for the Denver Nuggets over the summer.

Mitchell was part of a lawsuit in Kentucky that recently won 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.