Undrafted center Robbie Avila, whose college career culminated in an Atlantic 10 Player of the Year honor and a deep NCAA Tournament run with Saint Louis University, has agreed to an Exhibit-10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, multiple sources confirmed Thursday.
Jon Chepkevich on X (formerly Twitter): “NEWS: Saint Louis’ Robbie Avila has agreed to an Exhibit-10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell DraftExpress.The A10 Player of the Year is one of the nation’s most skilled bigs.Shot 40% from three and averaged 4+ assists per game as a frontcourt playmaking hub. pic.twitter.com/q6yYnRtAXW / X”
NEWS: Saint Louis’ Robbie Avila has agreed to an Exhibit-10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, sources tell DraftExpress.The A10 Player of the Year is one of the nation’s most skilled bigs.Shot 40% from three and averaged 4+ assists per game as a frontcourt playmaking hub. pic.twitter.com/q6yYnRtAXW
The 6-foot-10, 240-pound big man from Oak Forest, Illinois, brings a unique skill set to the Lakers’ summer league and training camp roster. Known for his passing vision, perimeter shooting for a player his size, and basketball IQ, Avila has drawn comparisons to a pass-first big with range reminiscent of Nikola Jokić — a moniker that earned him playful nicknames like “The College Jokić,” “Cream Abdul-Jabbar,” and “Rob Wave” during his standout tenure with the Billikens.
Avila spent his final two collegiate seasons at Saint Louis after transferring from Indiana State alongside head coach Josh Schertz. In 2025-26, he started all 35 games for a Billikens squad that posted a school-record 29 wins, shared the A-10 regular-season title, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and a team-leading 4.1 assists per game while shooting 49.7% from the field and 41.0% from three-point range.
Over his two seasons in St. Louis, Avila helped transform the program. He finished his Billikens career with 983 points and 122 made threes, becoming one of just three centers in NCAA history with 200 or more career three-pointers. His senior campaign capped a decorated run that included A-10 Player of the Year honors and First Team All-Conference recognition.
Prior to arriving in the Gateway City, Avila made a name for himself at Indiana State. As a sophomore in 2023-24, he averaged 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, earning First Team All-Missouri Valley Conference honors and helping lead the Sycamores to significant success.
The Exhibit-10 deal provides Avila an opportunity to compete for a spot on the Lakers’ roster or, more likely, secure a two-way contract or strong G League assignment with the South Bay Lakers. Exhibit-10 contracts are standard for undrafted free agents and invitees, allowing teams to evaluate prospects during the preseason with limited financial commitment.
For Avila, who has never lacked confidence or flair on the court, this marks the beginning of his professional journey. His ability to stretch the floor, facilitate from the elbows and high post, and impact the game without dominating the possession clock could prove valuable in today’s NBA, particularly in a Lakers system that values spacing and playmaking.
Saint Louis fans will remember Avila fondly as the goggles-wearing leader who helped restore pride to the Billikens program. Now, the Midwest product gets his shot in Hollywood, where his next chapter begins under the bright lights of the NBA’s most glamorous franchise.
