ST. LOUIS – Saint Louis junior center Robbie Avila was named to the Jersey Mike's Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List, which was announced today by the Atlanta Tipoff Club and Naismith Awards.

Avila is one of just 50 players nationwide selected for the watch list. He is the lone honoree from the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Avila is in his first season with the Billikens after spending the last two years at Indiana State, where he played for new SLU head coach Josh Schertz.

In 2023-24, Avila helped the Sycamores to the MVC regular-season title and an appearance in the NIT championship game. He was a 2024 Lou Henson All-America selection and a first-team All-Missouri Valley Conference choice.

Avila averaged 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists for Indiana State his sophomore year, shooting 53.6 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from the arc while draining 61 3-pointers. He accumulated 1,007 points in two years across 71 appearances for the Sycamores.

Avila and the Billikens open the season against Santa Clara on Monday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. (CT) at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. It is the second game of a tripleheader at the Field of 68 Opening Day Showcase. The matchup will be streamed for free across the Field of 68's social media channels, including on YouTube and X.