Robbie Avila obtained a preliminary injunction allowing him to return to Saint Louis for a fifth college basketball season. The ruling came a day before the team’s game against Missouri. It also prevents the college-sports governing body from using the roster limit to block his return to a squad already containing 15 players.
Robbie Avila, a forward for the US college basketball team Saint Louis University, secured a preliminary injunction permitting a fifth season. Judge Jason Sengheiser issued the order in Missouri on November 5, ahead of the university’s November 6 meeting with Missouri. The decision cleared the player’s return to coach Josh Schertz’s team. Avila had been named the Atlantic 10 conference’s player of the year.[1], [2]
The National Collegiate Athletic Association, which governs US college sports, could not invoke its roster cap to prevent Avila’s return under Sengheiser’s ruling. Saint Louis already had 15 players on its roster. The dispute also involved Avila’s dealings with the Los Angeles Lakers: he reached a verbal agreement over an Exhibit 10 contract during the summer but never formally signed the document.[1]
Avila averaged 12.8 points in the previous season. His return leaves Saint Louis with four returning starters, as well as two important rotation players who appeared in the national tournament. CBS Sports reporter Isaac Trotter expected him to make his season debut against Missouri. His projected starting group put Avila alongside Trey Green, Quentin Jones, Ishan Sharma and Kellen Thames.[1]
