Avila Wins Legal Bid For Fifth Year

College basketball eligibility rules are currently in flux, creating uncertainty for players who entered the system under previous guidelines. Against this backdrop, Saint Louis forward Robbie Avila secured a legal victory on Thursday that allows him to take the court for a fifth season.

St. Louis City Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser issued a preliminary injunction clearing Avila to play for the remainder of the year. The ruling also authorizes the Billikens to expand their roster by one spot specifically for the 23-year-old athlete. The decision remains in effect until a full trial concludes, a process that may take several months.

Avila has been a central figure for the Billikens since transferring from Indiana State to join coach Josh Schertz. Standing at 6-foot-10, the forward averaged 17.3 points per game during his junior year and 12.8 points the following season. He has started 132 of his 137 career games, establishing himself as a consistent offensive threat.

The timing of the ruling provides immediate relief for a team carrying high expectations. Saint Louis finished the previous campaign with a 29-6 record, capturing the Atlantic 10 regular-season title. They entered the NCAA tournament as a No. 9 seed, defeating Georgia in the first round before losing to eventual champion Michigan. The Billikens face the University of Missouri on Friday night, with Avila expected to suit up.

The lawsuit is part of a series of legal challenges stemming from the NCAA’s shift to a five-for-five eligibility model. The new rule grants athletes five seasons of play within a five-year window, starting at age 19 or high school graduation. The agreement was not designed to apply to players from the class of 2022, who had already exhausted their eligibility under prior rules. Judges have ruled in favor of plaintiffs in most recent cases, though fears persist that NCAA appeals could reverse these decisions.

Coaches have weighed in on the regulatory confusion. Gonzaga head coach Mark Few stated that the NCAA made an error in the new agreement, arguing that class of 2022 athletes deserve a fair chance to participate. The issue is complicated by players who spent time with professional teams, such as Avila’s stint with the Los Angeles Lakers during Summer League. He did not sign a professional contract, a distinction that has fueled eligibility debates.

The Friday matchup against Missouri features another player affected by these changes. Missouri forward Mark Mitchell, who played for the Denver Nuggets over the summer, faces Avila on the floor. Mitchell was part of a Kentucky lawsuit that recently secured eligibility for 38 football and basketball players. Duke coach Jon Scheyer noted that similar legal cases are likely to continue throughout the season, potentially resulting in temporary eligibility losses for players.