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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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TCU is reportedly set to land one of the most recognizable players in college basketball, with former Saint Louis star Robbie Avila expected to join the Horned Frogs for the 2026-27 season, according to On3's Joe Tipton.
This is a massive boost for TCU, which is currently undefeated at 3-0 to start the year under longtime head coach Jamie Dixon, with Avila able to step in immediately and give the team an experienced big man with a unique skill set, known for his elite court vision and guard-like passing skills. In his last year with the Billikens, Avila averaged 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists in 26.3 minutes per game, shooting 49.7% from the field and 41% from 3-point range.
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Avila, a 6-foot-10, 240-pound forward, became a college basketball sensation during his time at Indiana State, where he played two seasons under head coach Josh Schertz before following him to Saint Louis in 2024. His trademark goggles and unique playing style made him one of the most recognizable figures in the sport, drawing nicknames such as "Cream Abdul-Jabbar," "College Jokic," and "Larry Nerd."
He wasn't just a viral internet sensation, though. Avila earned Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honors last season, while helping lead Saint Louis to a 29-6 finish and the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The year before, his first with the Billikens, he averaged 17.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.2 steals in 34 minutes per game, shooting 49% from the floor and 36% from long range.
Yet, despite a strong four-year run in college, he went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, later signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and appearing in the summer league. But after that opportunity fizzled out, Avila filed a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking a fifth season of eligibility. A judge granted him a preliminary injunction on Nov. 5, but the College Sports Commission subsequently prevented Saint Louis from adding him as a 16th player due to their 15-player roster limit. That left Avila eligible under the court ruling, but without a place to play, until now.
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The Horned Frogs' season is already underway, but they still only have 14 players on the roster, leaving room for Avila. Style-wise, he would be an interesting fit for Dixon's squad. TCU lost its leading scorer, David Punch, a 6-foot-7 forward, to Texas during the offseason, and doesn't currently have a big man with Avila's skill set: a player who can score inside, stretch the floor, and create opportunities for others as a playmaking center.
TCU is coming off a 23-12 season in which it finished sixth in the Big 12 with an 11-7 conference record, getting knocked out in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. They'll be hoping for a different result this season, and at 3-0 to start the year, they're already off to a good start. Joining the Horned Frogs gives Avila another chance to make a deep run in March.
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