Robbie Avila Considers NCAA Return After Court Grants Fifth‑Year Eligibility

Undrafted center Robbie Avila, who signed an Exhibit‑10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and appeared in four Summer League games averaging 1.0 point, is weighing a return to college basketball. A federal court in Denver, led by U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney, issued a preliminary injunction restoring a fifth year of eligibility for athletes from the high‑school class of 2022, opening a special transfer‑portal window from Aug. 3‑10 for the 2026/27 season.

Avila, the 6‑foot‑10 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year from Saint Louis University, could use the extra season to improve his draft stock or pursue another professional opportunity. The ruling is expected to be appealed, and the NCAA plans to implement a “five‑for‑five” eligibility rule for athletes enrolling in fall 2027.