SLU’s Avila helped off with apparent ankle injury

Saint Louis star big man Robbie Avila suffered what appeared to be a right ankle injury late in Monday’s season-opening loss to Santa Clara.

With under five minutes left in the second half, Avila drove to the rim and jumped to pass the ball to Gibson Jimerson in the opposite corner, but landed awkwardly and twisted his ankle. He laid on the floor under the basket for a couple of minutes, before being helped off the court and into the locker room.

He later emerged from the locker room, but was unable to put weight on his right leg and spent the rest of the game on the bench with ice on his ankle.

Avila had 16 points, five rebounds and five assists before the injury.

He missed much of the preseason with a sprained ankle, but was able to suit up and play 17 minutes in the Billikens’ second exhibition game against Maryville.

A 6-foot-10 center who followed head coach Josh Schertz from Indiana State to Saint Louis last spring, Avila was one of the biggest breakout players of the 2023-24 college basketball season. He helped lead the Sycamores to 32 wins and a run to the NIT championship game, where they lost to Seton Hall.

Avila, who became one of the most recognizable players in the country last season due to his goggles and unique skill set, averaged 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists en route to first-team All-Missouri Valley honors. He earned such nicknames as “Cream Abdul-Jabbar,” “Steph Blurry” and “Larry Nerd.”

He was also named to the Atlantic 10’s preseason all-conference first team.

Saint Louis next faces Avila University on Sunday.