Indiana State forward Robbie Avila enters NCAA transfer portal
Indiana State forward Robbie Avila has entered the NCAA transfer portal and has a “do not contact” designation, according to On3’s Jamie Shaw and Pete Nakos. Rick Semmler first reported Avila’s plans to enter the portal earlier Tuesday. Avila spent the last two seasons with the Sycamores and became a national sensation this year.
“Sports 10 has been informed Robbie Avila isn’t expected to be in transfer portal today, but coming days,” Semmler tweeted. “Once Sycamore big man enters, that will put starting ISU 5 from this season in transfer portal.”
Avila was a first team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection as part of a breakout season in which he averaged 17.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists for Indiana State. After the Sycamores missed out on the NCAA Tournament as one of the first four teams out, they rattled off a run to the NIT championship, where they fell to Seton Hall April 4.
Avila’s decision to transfer comes after the departure of ISU coach Josh Schertz, who’s gearing up to take over as the next head coach at Saint Louis. CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander reported the Billikens were preparing to offer Schertz more than $2 million per year. That would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the Atlantic 10.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.
As Indiana State made a run to the Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship this year, Avila went viral on social media. His trademark goggles and ability to make plays from the paint took the college basketball world by storm, and KSR’s Matt Jones affectionately dubbed him “Cream Abdul-Jabbar.”
The nickname stuck, and the Chicago White Sox even used it while announcing him as a CHISOX Athlete through their NIL program.
Robbie Avila also has an NIL deal with Indiana State’s NIL store as part of his portfolio. He’s also developed quite a social media following with 16,300 total followers.
Indiana State put together an impressive year to make a strong case for March Madness. The Sycamores made it into the AP Top 25 for the first time since Larry Bird played in Terre Haute as part of a 32-win season to become a No. 1 seed in the NIT. News of Saint Louis’ interest in Schertz broke after the selection show, but he made it clear nothing would happen until after the season.
Indiana State kept winning, and the season eventually ended in the championship game. Seton Hall went on a 9-0 run to close things out and pull off the victory. Meanwhile, Saint Louis kept waiting – even after Schertz reportedly held talks with Louisville about the job that eventually went to Pat Kelsey. Schertz’s future led to speculation about what could be next for Avila as he became a household name.