Court ruling could send Lakers hopeful Robbie Avila back to college

Robbie Avila’s NBA career may have to wait.

The undrafted center, who agreed to a training camp deal with the Lakers after the NBA Draft, is considering a return to college basketball following this week’s federal court ruling that could grant another year of eligibility to athletes from the high school Class of 2022.

According to basketball insider Adam Zagoria, Avila is weighing his options as the NCAA prepares to open a special transfer portal window from Aug. 3-10.

The ruling, handed down Friday by U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney in Colorado, determined that athletes who exhausted four seasons of eligibility this past spring could receive a fifth season for 2026-27. The NCAA is expected to appeal the decision, though it also plans to adopt a permanent five-for-five eligibility model beginning with athletes entering college in 2027.

For Avila, the timing could create an unexpected choice between pursuing an NBA roster spot or returning to the college game for another season.

The 6-foot-10 big man became one of college basketball’s most recognizable players because of his passing ability, low-post game and trademark thick-rimmed glasses, earning the nickname “Cream Abdul-Jabbar.”

He transferred from Indiana State to Saint Louis before last season and was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year after averaging 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists while leading the Billikens to a 27-4 record.