Indiana State star Robbie Avila is looking for a new team.
The cult hero entered the transfer gate after an impressive sophomore season. With Indiana State narrowly missing out on the NCAA Tournament, Avila averaged 17.4 points per game and shot nearly 54 percent from the field.
Indiana State University sophomore center Robbie Avila entered the transfer portal after averaging 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game while also shooting 39.4 percent from 3-point range this season. https://t.co/qugHwZFSPW
— NCAA Transfer Portal (@RivalsPortal) April 9, 2024
Thanks to his sports glasses and nickname of “Cream Abdul-Jabbar,” the 6-foot-10, 240-pound center became an Internet sensation when the Sycamores won the regular-season Missouri Valley Conference championship. However, Indiana State missed the NCAA Tournament due to an 84-80 loss to Drake in the MVC Tournament title game. Indiana State was then given a March Madness berth to teams like Virginia State and Boise State, despite losing only six games in the regular season.
Indiana State, which missed out on the NCAA Tournament, accepted a bid to the NIT and advanced to the title game. The Sycamores lost 79-77 on Thursday to Seton Hall, which was also eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.
Two days after the NIT title game, Indiana State coach Josh Schertz was officially hired as St. Louis' new head coach. The Billikens fired Travis Ford after a 13-20 season and have not played in a tournament since 2019.
Schatz's departure sparked a wave of portal activity. Avila is currently considering transferring, with all five Indiana State starters entering the portal. Each of these starters averaged at least 11 points per game and started at least 37 of Indiana State's 39 games.
