The Perfect Complement to Cooper Flagg in Duke Frontcourt Just Hit Transfer Portal
Indiana State star Robbie Avila is expected to enter the transfer portal, and the Duke Blue Devils should be one of the teams to consider him for next season.
By Jovan Alford
The Duke Blue Devils will likely have a new frontcourt next season as Kyle Filipowski is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and Mark Mitchell is entering the transfer portal.
However, all is not lost for Blue Devil fans as they have the top high school recruit in Cooper Flagg joining the team next season, along with five other five and four-star recruits, who will try to get Duke to the Final Four.
But to depend on all freshmen to make a deep run to the tournament is a lot of pressure as the Blue Devils lost in the Elite 8 to the North Carolina State Wolfpack. Therefore, head coach Jon Scheyer needs to hit the transfer portal and find a veteran presence to pair with the incoming class.
Duke Basketball Rumors: Robbie Avila a Transfer Portal Fit?
One player Scheyer should consider is Indiana State big man Robbie Avila, who set the college basketball world on fire this season, with his all-around game. Many fans liken Avila’s game to two-time MVP and NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, which is high praise.
Avila is reportedly expected to enter the transfer portal in the coming days, according to Rick Semmler of WTHI-TV 10. Avila is coming off an excellent 2023 season that saw him lead the Sycamores to a 32-7 record and the NIT championship game against Seton Hill.
Sports 10 has been informed Robbie Avila isn't expected to be in transfer portal today, but coming days. Once Sycamore big man enters, that will put starting ISU 5 from this season in transfer portal
— Rick Semmler (@Rick_Sports10) April 9, 2024
The first-time All-Missouri Valley Conference standout averaged 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. Avila also shot 53.6 percent from the field and 39.4 percent from the field.
Based on what we saw from Avila this year at Indiana State, you must believe major P5 schools will be interested in adding him to their program. Duke could easily start him alongside Flagg, who is uber-talented and projected to be the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. All-around players don’t come around too often on the transfer portal, so the Blue Devils need to put in an inquiry to see if they can bring him to Durham, NC.
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