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Jeff Borzello, ESPN Staff Writer
Saint Louis star big man Robbie Avila will miss the next few weeks with a sprained ankle, sources told ESPN on Saturday, but is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.
Avila suffered the injury during Friday night’s Billikens Basketball Night festivities.
A 6-foot-10 center who transferred to Saint Louis from Indiana State last spring, Avila was one of the biggest breakout players of the 2023-24 college basketball season. He helped lead the Sycamores to 32 wins and a run to the NIT championship game, where they lost to Seton Hall.
Avila averaged 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists en route to first-team All-Missouri Valley honors. He was also the focal point for one of the most effective offenses in the country, as Indiana State ranked first nationally in effective field goal percentage and 2-point percentage and 11th nationally in 3-point percentage.
Sporting goggles and a unique skill set — he shot better than 39% from 3-point range and is an elite passer for someone his size — Avila became one of the most recognizable players in the country. He earned such nicknames as “Cream Abdul-Jabbar,” “Steph Blurry” and “Larry Nerd.”
Avila’s coach at Indiana State, Josh Schertz, left the Sycamores for Saint Louis after the season. His star big man was one of two Indiana State starters to follow him to the Atlantic 10, with guard Isaiah Swope also transferring last spring.
Saint Louis opens the 2024-25 season Nov. 4 against Santa Clara.