Indiana State Standout Robbie Avila to Follow Coach Josh Schertz to Saint Louis

Patrick Andres | Apr 20, 2024

Indiana State Sycamores center Robbie Avila (21) reacts to a call from the referee. / Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY

One of the most beloved college basketball players of 2024 has a new home.

Indiana State center Robbie Avila is transferring to Saint Louis, he announced in a Saturday afternoon conversation with The Field of 68.

Avila, 20, follows coach Josh Schertz, who left the Sycamores for the Billikens on April 6. The move followed Indiana State's best season in decades: the Sycamores went 32–7 during the 2023–24 campaign, posting their best record since reaching the national championship with forward Larry Bird in 1979.

Snubbed by the NCAA men's tournament selection committee, Indiana State advanced to the NIT championship but lost 79–77 to Seton Hall.

Former Indiana State star Robbie Avila is following Josh Schertz and transferring to Saint Louis, he announced on The Field of 68. One of the biggest breakout stars of the 2023-24 season, Avila earned first-team All-Missouri Valley honors after averaging 17.4 PPG and 6.6 RPG.

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 20, 2024

Avila averaged 17.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game for the Sycamores in '24, his second collegiate season. Saint Louis, his new team, is seeking its first NCAA tournament berth since 2019.

As Indiana State's national profile increased, Avila became a cult hero in college basketball circles for his versatile style of play—earning him nicknames like "Cream Abdul-Jabbar" and "Larry Nerd."