Dynamic duo Robbie Avila and Jayson Kent connect again at Indiana State. ‘It’s like being back at Oak Forest.’

When Robbie Avila takes a pass from Jayson Kent and knocks down a shot, it’s just like old times.

Except Avila and Kent are connecting about 150 miles south of the Oak Forest gym where they used to star together.

The duo of former Bengals has reunited at Indiana State, where both are playing major roles in a successful season for the Sycamores.

“It’s like being back at Oak Forest,” Avila said. “Jayson and I have that chemistry. We’ve been having a lot of fun together and to get to play together again is special.”

After coming off the bench at the beginning of the season, Avila has started 21 games as a freshman for the Sycamores (18-9). The 6-foot-10 center is averaging 10 points and four rebounds.

Kent, a sophomore guard/forward in his first season at Indiana State, is a key reserve and occasional starter who is averaging six points.

After playing two seasons at Bradley, Kent decided to transfer in the spring. Avila was quick to offer a sales pitch.

“When I found out he was hitting the portal, I wouldn’t even let him think about another school,” Avila said. “I told him, ‘You know where to go. Let’s run it back.’

“As soon as I found out he was committed, it was amazing.”

Kent said Indiana State was the right spot for him regardless, but the thought of having Avila as a teammate again was certainly a big bonus.

“In the portal, there are a lot of options,” Kent said. “I was really blessed to get recruited by a lot of schools.

“Robbie and I talked a lot and he sold me here and there, but I had to see what was best for me. It just worked out this was the best spot for me and I’ve got my guy here with me.”

Kent and Avila’s brother, Juan, were both in the 2020 class at Oak Forest, two years ahead of Robbie. The trio led the Bengals to a 28-4 record in the 2019-20 season.

Now, they’re all together again often when Juan visits.

“We always talk about ‘the trifecta’ when my brother comes into town and we all get together and hang out,” Robbie said.

It’s fun to watch for their former coach, Oak Forest athletic director Matt Manzke.

“It’s the coolest thing to have two kids that good and have them both wind up on the same team,” Manzke said. “It’s been a blast.

“I’ve been to four or five games in person. I watch every game and talk to those guys a couple times a week through text.”

Manzke anticipated Avila’s early success.

“I think Robbie picked a great school for his skill set,” Manzke said. “Robbie’s always been able to step up and compete. When he was a freshman in high school, he was able to do it on the varsity level.

“He’s so smart and skilled, so I’m not surprised and I don’t think the coaches at Indiana State are surprised.”

Meanwhile, Kent is finding many ways to make an impact.

“I think my role this year is to do a little bit of everything, especially with us having a lot of guys who can score,” Kent said. “I want to defend at a high level and do the little things to help us win.

“One thing coach Manzke told me that I’ll never forget is, ‘If you’re not making shots, affect the game in other ways.’”

It’s special for Kent and Avila to get to affect games together again.

“When he was getting recruited, I thought I’d be playing against him,” Kent said. “Now I’m playing with him, and it’s really fun. It brings back a lot of great memories from high school.”

Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.