Robbie Avila ended up being a home name for Southland basketball fans throughout a great profession at Oak Forest. Now, he’s made rather a name for himself on a nationwide level.
Well … a number of names, actually.
Avila, a 6-foot-10 center, had a big sophomore season for Indiana State (32-7), balancing 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 helps in leading the Sycamores to the NIT national championship.
Along the method, he ended up being something of a web legend, attracting fans from all over the nation with his signature black safety glasses and uncharacteristic ability for a huge guy.
“I will not lie, initially, it was type of a lot,” Avila stated of his newly found popularity. “It was various seeing my face on social networks more than I was seeing Lebron (James) or (Steph) Curry
“It was a modification, however it was a great deal of enjoyable. Having the ability to take pleasure in all the labels and the emphasize videos and all that, I had the ability to take that all in and have a good time with it.”
Avila now has a shopping list of labels.
There’s Cream Abdul-Jabbar, referencing Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbarwho likewise sported safety glasses on the court.
There’s College Jokic, which compares Avila to Denver Nuggets star and ruling NBA MVP Nikola Jokic — like Avila, a huge male who can shoot from the outdoors and pass.
How about 2 labels that combine Avila and Larry Birdthe best Indiana State gamer of perpetuity? Avila has actually been called both Larry Nerd and Larry Blurred, more allusions to his safety glasses.
Joseph C. Garza/ AP
Indiana State’s Robbie Avila (21) resists Northern Iowa’s Michael Duax (15) throughout a video game in Terre Haute, Indiana, on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. (Joseph C. Garza/ AP)
“To have labels connecting me in to Nikola Jokic, among the very best basketball gamers worldwide today, or a legend like Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, it’s fantastic,” Avila stated. “I’m simply delighted to be put in the very same discussions as those guys.
“My preferred label personally is constantly going to be Rob Wave, called after my preferred musical artist Rod Wave“
On Saturday, Avila revealed his choice to move to Saint Louis, where he is following his previous Indiana State coach Josh Schertz
“In my mind, I sort of understood I was going to follow him,” Avila stated of Schertz. “He trusted me out of high school. He was among the couple of coaches who truly thought in me and I would not be here without him, so I’m revealing that exact same rely on him.
“I sort of informed him, ‘Wherever you go, I’m going to follow with you.’ I’m thrilled to overcome there and get back at in the summertime. I believe we’re going to have the ability to have the exact same success that we had at Indiana State.”
Avila is among a number of college basketball standouts from the Southland to just recently reveal transfers.
Jayson KentAvila’s colleague at both Oak Forest and Indiana State, is headed to Texas, while his sis and fellow Oak Forest alum, Janaeis moving from LSU to Texas A&M.
The Kents will be participated in the SEC by previous Homewood-Flossmoor star Alyssa Lathamwho is headed to Tennessee from Syracuse.
Previous Bloom standout Dante Maddox Jr. revealed a transfer from Toledo to Xavier. Thornton alum Damarco Minor is going from SIU Edwardsville to Oregon State, and previous Brother Rice star Ahmad Henderson is coming home to Illinois-Chicago after a year at Niagara.
Now, back to Avila and those labels.
Oak Forest athletic director Matt Manzkewho was Avila’s coach in high school, keeps in mind a couple others.
“Robbie Buckets was walking around for a bit and Slo-Mo, due to the fact that he type of did whatever a bit in sluggish movement,” Manzke stated. “There was absolutely nothing as innovative as the ones out there now. Cream Abdul-Jabbar is simply amusing.”
Manzke likewise has actually been astonished by Avila’s unexpected rise in appeal.
Steve Johnston/ Daily Southtown
Oak Forest’s Robbie Avila (21) obstructs a shot by Evergreen Park’s Malik Kelly (12) throughout a South Suburban Conference crossover video game in Oak Forest on Friday, Jan. 7, 2022. (Steve Johnston/ Daily Southtown)
“Something would get published online and after that my phone would explode,” Manzke stated. “It was remarkable, however it was unbelievable.
“I do not understand if I’ve ever understood any person who’s more comfy in his/her own skin than Robbie. He does not stress over the buzz maker. He’s getting this prestige, however he’s still the very same modest, down-to-earth individual.”
For Avila, things got actually wild after he scored 35 points in a Feb. 28 win over Evansville.
“My social networks was simply exploding for a week or more,” he stated. “It was one after another. My fans were increasing. I was getting struck up by a great deal of individuals. When I saw I had a couple NBA gamers follow me, I had (Dallas Mavericks owner) Mark Cuban following me, I resembled, ‘Wow, this is sort of fantastic.’
“It was incredible, however I simply attempted to remain as calm and cool as possible.”
Of course, we in the Southland understood about him.
And I, for one, can’t wait to see what Cream Abdul-Jabbar does next.