Niles West Basketball Star Jewell Loyd Chooses Notre Dame

Despite her vast individual accomplishments, Niles West junior basketball player Jewell Loyd has always given credit to her teammates for their success on the court.  

So it was fitting that Loyd used the help of her teammates and classmates to announce her college decision on Tuesday.

During a press conference at Niles West, Loyd and her friends unveiled T-shirts spelling out “Notre Dame” as the 5-foot-9 guard announced her decision to join the Fighting Irish’s women’s basketball team in the fall of 2012.

Loyd, who averaged 28.8 points, 15.2 rebounds, 4.5 steals, 4.1 assists and 3.1 blocks a game during the 2010-11 season, picked Notre Dame University over other top college programs, including the University of Connecticut, University of Tennessee, University of Illinois.

“I find [Notre Dame’s] a really good fit for me. I know a lot of the girls that are on the team," said Loyd, who had narrowed her choices down to 10 schools before Tuesday’s press conference. “I like their style of play. Academically, Notre Dame is off the charts.”

Loyd noted the Catholic university's proximity to Chicago was a key factor in her decision. Having her parents and older brother at her basketball games was a big consideration and priority for her.

Her brother, Jarryd, was a point guard for Niles West and later played hoops for the Crusaders at Valparaiso University.

For the last two seasons Loyd has been named first-team all-state and is currently ranked No. 6 overall among college prospects by ESPN for the Class of 2012.

But before Loyd heads to Notre Dame, she still has one more year to complete at Niles West. Loyd is already the school’s leading scorer and will likely break the 3,000-point mark next season.

“When she walks on the court she’s all smiles, but she’s ready to rip your heart out as a competitor and that’s one of the things I love about her,” Niles West coach Tony Konsewicz said. “She is the best player in the state of Illinois, hands down, as a junior.”

After helping Team USA earn a gold medal in the U17 World Championships last summer, Loyd will again try out for the team in May. She hopes to get stronger and is working to try to “shoot like Jimmer [Fredette, BYU's shooting guard.]”

Niles West lost to Maine South in the sectional final in the March playoffs, but Loyd and the rest of the Wolves’ returning players hope to get another chance at going the Final Four for the state's high schools.

“Trying to get to state obviously, win conference and make everyone better as a team,” Loyd said of her goals for next season. “Really go all out, there’s nothing to lose.”