Robbie Avila – The NCAA basketball player dubbed “College Jokic,” what makes him special?

Robbie Avila, a 2nd-year student from Indiana standing at 2.08m and weighing 115kg, is causing a sensation in NCAA Division I. This season, Avila averages 14.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game for the Sycamores.

Not only does Avila have comprehensive stats, but he also stands out for playing similarly to Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic. He has become a phenomenon on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter with the nickname “College Jokic.”

Anyone watching Avila play will notice the similarities with Jokic, both in physique and playing style. While neither possesses the physique of professional athletes, they are intelligent players with a great sense of ball control and spatial awareness.

Avila’s college coach, Josh Schertz, told reporters, “Avila is extremely intelligent. He can rebound and initiate a dangerous fast break. Avila is also good at three-pointers, and his basketball IQ is unbelievably high.”

Usually, big men struggle to have impressive passing skills like Avila. His passing ability draws inspiration from two NBA stars, Nikola Jokic and Domantas Sabonis.

For Avila, Jokic is also a role model: “I always watch Jokic. He’s an all-around big man, can play inside and outside, and his creativity is something I try to learn. Obviously, I’m not as good as Jokic, but being compared to him is an honor for me.”

Avila considers himself a combination of Jokic, Sabonis, and Kevin Love, as he can play well both inside and outside, stretch the floor, and shoot. Avila has a shooting percentage of 43.2% from beyond the three-point line and a 56.2% overall field goal success rate, the highest in college.

Despite the comparison to the two-time NBA MVP superstar, Avila remains humble when evaluating his performances: “My strength is creating space with height and ball control. But my physicality is not great, and it can make me prone to injuries. I have to use my strength to compensate for weaknesses, but I can’t do that forever. I can’t jump high and need to move faster; I have to put in more effort.”

Avila knows he doesn’t look like a typical college athlete, but he sees it as an advantage. Avila has honed his footwork over the years and turned it into a formidable weapon. His flexible footwork helps Avila create many surprises for opponents, opening up space for himself or teammates.

Avila is proud of the attention he receives on social media but doesn’t want it to affect his self-discipline. The NBA is his future goal, and the Sycamores’ player is putting in all his effort to get closer to that dream.

Avila hopes to represent Mexico one day, as his father is of Mexican descent. He continues to strive and wait for an opportunity to wear the national team jersey. However, the 21-year-old player is prioritizing maximizing his own potential.