Every March Madness brings its share of breakout stars — even Stephen Curry put his name on the map during Davidson’s miracle run to the Elite Eight in 2008. This year, the new household name seems to be Saint Louis Billikens star Robbie Avila.
Avila has been a known quantity among college basketball diehards for a few years now, but his NCAA Tournament debut on March 19, 2026, against the Georgia Bulldogs brought the rest of the world in on the fun. He had 12 points, five rebounds and five assists in Saint Louis’ dominant 102-77 win, giving him a chance to go up against Michigan, arguably the best team in the country, in the Second Round.
The reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Year is more than just a dominant center. His signature goggles, myriad nicknames and affable personality have given him a cult following and made him must-see TV.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about Robbie Avila.
Robbie Avila Is an Illinois Native
Born and raised in Oak Forest, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, Robbie Avila entered college as the sixth-ranked recruit in his home state. Since his fame has grown, he has used his name, image and likeness opportunities to give back to his hometown, buying the entire Oak Forest High School boys team new Nike Giannis Immortality 3.5 sneakers in 2024.
“Showing my support and giving back — it’s not just you on your own,” he told CBS News at the time. “There are other people that are thinking about you.”
Robbie Avila Began His Career at Indiana State
Robbie Avila committed out of high school to play for Josh Schertz and Indiana State University, where he made an immediate impact. Averaging double-figures in his first year, Avila was named an all-Missouri Valley freshman in 2023 and first-team all-MVC in 2024.
When Schertz took the Saint Louis job after the 2023-24 season, Avila followed him, leveling up to the Atlantic 10, where his success continued.
Robbie Avila’s Most Famous Nickname Is ‘Cream Abdul-Jabbar’
Cream Abdul Jabbar. Milk Chamberlain. Larry Nerd. There’s no shortage of nicknames for Billikens star Robbie Avila. But for whatever reason, the play on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s name has stuck the most. Kentucky Sports Radio personality Matt Jones is credited with coining the name in 2024 when Avila still played for Indiana State.
Robbie Avila Is Known for His Signature Goggles
No, Robbie Avila does not need to wear his signature goggles. In high school, he considered switching to contact lenses before his brother talked him out of it.
“He said, ‘You’re not you without your goggles,’” he recalled to the Associated Press in a March 2026 story. “And ever since, I’ve been Robbie with Goggles.”
Since then, the goggles have become part of his charm. During the Billikens’ convincing win over Georgia, a kid even asked for them, similar to how a young fan might ask an NBA player for his shoes. A Saint Louis official was nearby and politely told the child that Avila needed them to play.
“I’ve been asked for my jersey, my shoes, but never my goggles,” Avila said.
Robbie Avila Embraces all the Jokes
Robbie Avila doesn’t let the jokes bother him. Like the goggles, he has embraced the nicknames. He told MLive during the 2026 NCAA Tournament that he has “fun with stuff like that.”
“It definitely took a little bit for me to get used to when it first started happening sophomore year, seeing my face all over social media, but like I said, I enjoy it, I have fun,” he said. “I enjoy watching my family and friends enjoy it.”
