A St. Louis judge granted the reigning A-10 player of the year a preliminary injunction, likely letting him play the entire season including Friday's game against Missouri.
Robbie Avila will suit up for Saint Louis after all. St. Louis City Circuit Court Judge Jason Sengheiser granted the forward a preliminary injunction Thursday, allowing him to play a fifth season of college basketball for the Billikens.
Sengheiser also ruled that Saint Louis can carry a 16th roster spot for Avila until a trial takes place, a proceeding that could be months away. That effectively clears the 23-year-old to play the rest of the season, starting with a high-profile matchup against rival Missouri on Friday night.
Avila, the reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, built his reputation at Indiana State under coach Josh Schertz before following him to Saint Louis. He averaged 17.3 points as a junior and 12.8 points last season, becoming known along the way for his signature glasses. The 6-foot-10 forward's return pushes Saint Louis into the national conversation as a top-25 caliber team and the clear favorite in the A-10.
The legal fight over his eligibility is far from settled, but for now Avila is back on the court, and the Billikens get their best player for a season that just got a lot more interesting.