Judge grants Saint Louis forward injunction for fifth college season

A Missouri judge granted Saint Louis forward Robbie Avila a preliminary injunction allowing him to play a fifth college season and giving the Billikens a temporary 16th roster spot, despite the NCAA’s 15-player limit. The ruling followed a dispute over whether Avila’s participation in the Lakers’ Summer League and an unsigned contract agreement made him ineligible; the judge found that allowing him to return would avert a greater injustice. Avila is expected to join Saint Louis for its game against Missouri, though coach Josh Schertz cautioned that Avila will need time to regain game fitness. The injunction remains in place until a trial, as Avila’s case is part of a wider wave of challenges to NCAA eligibility rules affecting athletes from the 2022 class.