TCU basketball is finalizing the eligibility process for Robbie Avila to join the Horned Frogs after an injury to center Luke Bamgboye left the team short-handed. Head coach Jamie Dixon confirmed the team is “in the process of finalizing his eligibility at TCU,” following an approach from Avila and his family in light of Bamgboye’s indefinite recovery timeline.
Avila, who was expected to return to Saint Louis after two seasons there, now looks set to bolster TCU’s roster. After the injury to Bamgboye, Avila reached out to the Horned Frogs. Dixon said, “After exhausting all options to play at Saint Louis, Robbie and his family approached me on Saturday after hearing about our injury situation.”
The addition of Avila comes after a complicated offseason. He had been denied a return to Saint Louis because of roster size limits and challenges related to securing an extra year of eligibility. Despite those setbacks, Avila quickly found a new opportunity at TCU.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Avila was headed to Fort Worth to join the team and had already started the paperwork necessary to complete his transfer. Thamel wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “Robbie Avila is headed to Fort Worth today to join the team at TCU… His formal addition to the roster is expected to happen in the next 24 hours.”
Avila’s performances in recent seasons have drawn attention. He averaged at least 17 points per game during the 2023-24 season with Indiana State and the 2024-25 season with Saint Louis. Most recently, he posted averages of 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 49.7 percent from the field and 41 percent from beyond the arc.
The Horned Frogs are currently adjusting after losing last season’s top scorer, David Punch. Avila’s arrival offers a potential boost in scoring and playmaking that TCU will need as the season progresses.
Luke Bamgboye’s injury has left a gap in the team’s lineup with no clear timetable for his return. The addition of Avila could provide some immediate relief as TCU navigates the early part of the season.
The transfer adds to TCU’s options across the court while the coaching staff works through the eligibility paperwork. Dixon’s statement confirmed the team’s intention to integrate Avila as soon as possible, with no further details on the specific timing of his debut.
As of now, TCU awaits official confirmation that Avila has cleared all eligibility requirements. The process is expected to conclude within the next day, allowing him to join the team for upcoming games.
According to Yahoo Sports.
