TCU Set to Land Robbie Avila, But Eligibility Questions Remain

TCU is set to land former Saint Louis center Robbie Avila, according to On3, potentially giving Jamie Dixon one of college basketball's most accomplished passing big men as the Horned Frogs begin their 2026-27 season.

Avila, the reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, averaged 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season while shooting 41 percent from 3.

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The 6-10 center helped Saint Louis reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

His reported move to Fort Worth, however, comes with a catch ... one that already kept him off the floor at Saint Louis.

After exhausting his traditional four seasons at Indiana State and Saint Louis, Avila challenged the NCAA's eligibility rules in court. On Nov. 5, Missouri judge Jason Sengheiser granted him a preliminary injunction allowing him to pursue a fifth season.

The ruling also sought to allow Saint Louis to add Avila as a 16th player, but the College Sports Commission rejected the request the following day, citing the 15-player limit established under the House settlement.

The commission didn't dispute Avila's individual eligibility. Instead, it determined that Saint Louis couldn't exceed the roster limit.

TCU currently lists 15 players, too ... meaning the Horned Frogs would need to create an opening or establish an applicable exception. Avila's injunction remains preliminary, and any move would still require him to satisfy the relevant transfer, enrollment and eligibility requirements.

No immediate debut has been confirmed.

If those hurdles are cleared, Avila would bring a different dimension to a TCU offense averaging 101.3 points through its first three games.

Across four collegiate seasons, Avila accumulated 1,990 points, 473 assists and 214 made 3-pointers. He's one of only three centers in NCAA history with at least 200 career threes.

His passing could be especially valuable alongside Brock Harding, who has averaged 8.3 assists through TCU's 3-0 start. Avila is comfortable initiating possessions from the high post, potentially allowing Harding to spend more time working without the ball.

Xavier Edmonds could also benefit from Avila's arrival.

Edmonds averaged 12.7 points and 6.5 rebounds last season while shooting a team-best 43.6 percent from 3-point land. With both players capable of stretching the floor, Avila's passing could create additional opportunities for Edmonds around the basket without sacrificing perimeter spacing.

The offensive possibilities are appealing ... although the defensive fit is less certain.

TCU needed double overtime to defeat Louisiana-Monroe 100-92 Tuesday despite being outrebounded and allowing the Warhawks to shoot 51.5 percent from the field.

Avila isn't a traditional rim protector, which could complicate an extended pairing with Edmonds against more physical Big 12 frontcourts.

Dixon also has DJ Thomas and Luke Bamgboye on his roster if he prefers a different interior combination.

For a team already featuring several capable scorers, Avila's greatest contribution might come from making their jobs easier rather than increasing his own scoring totals.

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TCU returns to action Friday against Milwaukee at 7 p.m. CT, although Avila's availability remains unresolved.

Should the Horned Frogs clear the necessary hurdles, Dixon would have another experienced playmaker to incorporate into a rotation that's already off to a productive start.