Saint Louis transfer Robbie Avila is finalizing a deal to play for TCU this season, sources told ESPN.
Avila is expected to arrive in Fort Worth on Thursday to join the team, sources added. His formal addition to the roster is expected to happen in the next 24 hours.
TCU coach Jamie Dixon issued a short statement Thursday afternoon confirming his program's intent to add Avila to the roster.
"After exhausting all options to play at Saint Louis, Robbie and his family approached me Saturday after hearing about our injury situation," Dixon wrote. "We have just informed our team that we are in the process of finalizing his eligibility at TCU."
Avila was granted a preliminary injunction last week by a Missouri judge for a fifth year of eligibility, but the College Sports Commission blocked him from rejoining Saint Louis due to a roster-limits issue.
A 6-foot-10 center whose trademark goggles and unique skill set have earned him nicknames such as "Cream Abdul-Jabbar," Avila was the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year last season, averaging 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 41% from 3-point range. He led Saint Louis to 29 wins and a second-round NCAA tournament appearance.
Avila, who has scored nearly 2,000 career points, began his career playing for Josh Schertz at Indiana State. After two seasons with the Sycamores -- including a 2023-24 campaign that featured 32 wins and a career-best 17.4 points per game -- Avila followed Schertz to Saint Louis for the last two seasons.
TCU started the season with three consecutive wins and will play host to Milwaukee on Friday. Dixon's team steps up in competition next week, however, with a game against Texas A&M and a trip to Las Vegas for the Players Era 16, where it opens with No. 17 Miami.
An exact timeline for when Avila will suit up for the Horned Frogs is unclear. The university offers a four-week mini-semester that begins Tuesday, Nov. 17, and the school's regular fall semester ends Dec. 18.