Robbie Avila (born September 10, 2003) is an American college basketball player for the Saint Louis Billikens. He previously played for the Indiana State Sycamores of the Missouri Valley Conference.
 Avila with Indiana State in 2024 | |
| No. 21 – Saint Louis Billikens | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| League | Atlantic 10 Conference |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 10, 2003 Oak Forest, Illinois, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Oak Forest (Oak Forest, Illinois) |
| College |
|
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
High school career
editAvila attended Oak Forest High School in Oak Forest, Illinois.[1][2] As a junior, Avila averaged 25.5 points and 11.5 rebounds.[3] In his final season as a senior, he averaged 23.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.1 steals, and two blocks, leading Oak Forest to a 25–8 record and becoming the school's all-time leading scorer.[4]
Recruiting
editAvila was ranked as the sixth-best player in the state of Illinois and the 54th best power forward in the country according to 247Sports.[5] He committed to play college basketball at Indiana State University over offers from Appalachian State, Bradley, Loyola Chicago, Richmond, and Southern Illinois.[3]
College career
editIndiana State
editAs a freshman, Avila averaged 10.7 points and four rebounds, being named to the MVC All-Freshman Team.[6] Avila began the next season averaging 16.5 points, 4.2 assists, and 6.6 rebounds through the first ten games of the season, including a 27-point, eight rebound, and eight assist performance against Rice in a 103–88 victory.[7][8] On January 24, 2024, he was named the conference player of the week after averaging 22 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists across a span of two games.[9] Avila scored a career-high 35 points in an 85–67 win over Evansville on February 28, 2024.[10][11] He finished his sophomore season averaging 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, helping lead Indiana State to a 32–7 record and an appearance in the NIT final.[12] On April 9, 2024, Avila announced he was entering the transfer portal.[13]
Saint Louis
editOn April 20, 2024, Avila announced his decision to transfer to Saint Louis, following his former Sycamores head coach Josh Schertz.[14][15]
On November 4, 2024, Avila was helped off the court during his team's season opener against Santa Clara University due to a right ankle injury. He drove to the rim and jumped to pass the ball but landed awkwardly and twisted his ankle.[16]
Personal life
editDue to similarities in the playstyles of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić, Avila has been nicknamed the "College Jokić".[17][18] He has also been nicknamed "Cream Abdul-Jabbar", after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (bestowed by Kentucky Wildcats talk radio host Matt Jones),[19] "Larry Nerd", "Larry Blurred", "Steph Blurry", “Milk Chamberlain”,and "Rob Wave" by fans, teammates, and users on Twitter, due to wearing protective goggles.[20][21][22] Avila is of Mexican descent through his father.[23]
Career statistics
edit| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
College
edit| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Indiana State | 34 | 29 | 21.3 | .540 | .337 | .705 | 4.0 | 1.6 | .7 | .4 | 10.7 |
| 2023–24 | Indiana State | 37 | 37 | 31.2 | .536 | .394 | .808 | 6.6 | 4.1 | .7 | .65 | 17.4 |
References
edit- ^ Terry, Jermont (2023-12-20). "Oak Forest grad uses his name, image, and likeness proceeds to give back - CBS Chicago". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ "It's an all-around Robbie Avila. He shoots. He scores. But the Indiana State recruit also defends, rebounds and blocks shots for Oak Forest". Chicago Tribune. 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ a b "'We know he's going to be Robbie': Avila enters senior year at Oak Forest with college recruitment heating up". Chicago Tribune. 2021-08-03. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ Golden, Todd Aaron (2021-10-23). "New ISU basketball commit Avila keeps Chicago pipeline flowing". Terre Haute Tribune-Star. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ "'It's An Amazing Feeling': Oak Forest's Avila Gives Back To School". Oak Forest, IL Patch. 2023-12-27. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ Tribune-Star, Hunter Tickel | (2023-10-19). "ISU to lean on seasoned sophomore Avila". Terre Haute Tribune-Star. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ "Robbie Avila's 27 lead Indiana State over Rice 103-88". Indianapolis News. Associated Press. 2023-11-22. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ "'The College Jokic.' Indiana State's goggles-wearing Robbie Avila an unexpected hoops star". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ "Avila, Barnes earn conference player of the week honors". Herald Bulletin. 2024-01-23. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
- ^ Tickel, Hunter (2024-02-28). "Avila activated: Forward picks apart Aces in painted area". Terre Haute Tribune-Star. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "Robbie Avila scores career-high 35 points, Indiana State knocks off Evansville". WRTV Indianapolis. 2024-02-29. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ "Indiana State's Robbie Avila consoled by Seton Hall's Shaheen Holloway after NIT championship loss". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ "Indiana State star Robbie Avila enters transfer portal". TSN. 2024-04-09. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
- ^ "Robbie Avila following Josh Schertz, transferring to Saint Louis". wthr.com. 2024-04-20. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
- ^ "Indiana St. star Avila follows coach to Saint Louis". ESPN.com. 2024-04-20. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
- ^ "SLU star Avila helped off late with ankle injury". ESPN.com. 4 November 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Yusuf, Farouk (2024-01-24). ""I try to model after him": Indiana State center Robbie Avila makes bold comparisons with Nikola Jokic ahead of UIC clash". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ "Who is the Indiana State basketball player with goggles? What you should know about Robbie Avila". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
- ^ Libit, Daniel (March 9, 2024). "Indiana State Working to Raise NIL Money to Keep Its Hoop Dream Alive". Sportico. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
- ^ Duncan, Kameron (2024-02-29). "'Cream Abdul-Jabbar' Is Everyone's Favorite College Basketball Player". The Spun: What's Trending In The Sports World Today. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ Diamond, Robert O’Connell and Jared. "Basketball's Newest Star Wears Rec Specs and Goes by 'Cream Abdul-Jabbar'". WSJ. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ "Sycamore team enjoys all Robbie Avila's nicknames". WTHI-TV. 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
- ^ Noh, Stephen (March 8, 2024). "Who is Robbie Avila? Meet Indiana State's 'Cream Abdul-Jabbar' who is going viral at Larry Bird's old school". The Sporting News. Retrieved April 4, 2024.