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Report: Robbie Avila to Enter CBB Transfer Portal; 5th Indiana State Starter to Exit

Doric SamApril 9, 2024

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 1: Robbie Avila #21 of the Indiana State Sycamores runs through a drill during the team's practice for the NIT at Hinkle Fieldhouse on April 1, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  (Photo by Doug McSchooler/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Doug McSchooler/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

After the departure of head coach Josh Schertz, the exodus of Indiana State players continued on Tuesday.

According to Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde, Indiana State center Robbie Avila plans to enter the transfer portal, making him the fifth Sycamores starter to do so.

Forde noted that "it would make sense" if some of the players followed Schertz to Saint Louis.

Avila became a national sensation this year during his breakout season in which he averaged 17.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists and earned first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors. He was nicknamed "Cream Abdul-Jabbar" for his trademark goggles and his skills in the low post.

Rick Semmler of Sports 10 noted that Avila will be "in the NIL open market at his next school" and is "looking at a minimum of $250K" in NIL money going forward.

Indiana State fell short of the NCAA tournament as one of the first four out, and the team went on a run to the NIT Championship before falling to Seton Hall in the title game.

Schertz was hired by Saint Louis shortly after Indiana State's season came to an end. He received a contract worth $2 million annually, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in the Atlantic 10, per Matt Norlander of CBS Sports.

In addition to Avila's planned departure from Indiana State, guards Ryan Conwell, Isaiah Swope, Jayson Kent and Julian Larry also have entered the transfer portal.

Each player averaged over 11 or more points this season, so they should receive a solid amount of interest from other schools.