Niles West's Loyd Fierce On Court, Friend At School

In the world of sports, it's rare to find a star athlete whose modesty is a defining characteristic of her personality. Jewell Loyd, senior guard at Niles West High School in Skokie, is one of them.

5’10” Loyd is currently ranked among the top three recruits in the nation for girls college basketball. In November, she signed her National Letter of Intent to play basketball for the University of Notre Dame, and since then she's kept up the tour de force.  She says her main criteria in selecting Notre Dame were the quality of the academics, the strength and compatibility of the basketball program, and its proximity to home.

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“I don’t think my dad’s ever missed a game, so it’s kind of a big deal that he’s there for me,” Loyd says.

Averaged 30 points per game

Last season she often averaged 30 points and15 rebounds per game while getting double and triple teamed by teams who had found that their only chance to compete with Niles West was to arrange their defense in this untraditional manner. This type of defense has made her a more creative player offensively, says Head Coach Tony Konsewicz.

He says Loyd's likability and athletic talent help draw sizable crowds to games, but that she's too demure to acknowledge that.

“She never turns anyone away, never sloughs anyone off, says Konsewicz.

Loyd modestly says that the crowds come to watch the team and that many of her fans are her friends, but Konsewicz says that “a lot of it has to do with Jewell, there’s no doubt about it.

She loves to win

“She is the ultimate competitor. She never wants to lose and she has a burning desire to win, overcome obstacles. She wants to be the leader of a team and include her teammates in everything she does,” says Konsewicz.

Loyd, a three-year captain for the Wolves, often takes the lead when the team dynamic needs to be addressed.

“She’s the ring leader, she’s the heart and soul of the team. On more than one occasion we’ve had a practice sputter a little bit and she’ll call the girls over and give a little pep talk as opposed to having us [the coaches] do it,” says Konsewicz.

“She has made more end-of-quarter, long-range shots and found ways to get the ball in the basket that make you just scratch your head and say, ‘oh my God, how did she get a shot off?’”

Credits Coach Reisman and brother Jared

Loyd attributes her success to her long-time coach Rich Reisman. “He always worked with me and my shot and said I had potential. I think he was the most influential person, and probably still is today.” Growing up, Loyd often watched her brother Jared on the court. Jared played basketball for Valparaiso University, and she says she learned most by watching him. He has been a huge factor in Loyd’s success and often helps train her. She also says that her teammates and coaches at Niles West have helped her tremendously in giving their support from the bench during high-pressure games.

Konsewicz says Loyd’s success is also due to her strong support system that includes her family, friends, basketball family, and her spirituality.

Others' struggles inspire her

Jewell says her motivation comes from witnessing others’ struggles in life. “I don’t want to struggle when I get older. I want to make money, give back to the community and live stress-free. I don’t feel like anyone should have to worry about the simple things in life.”

Loyd would one day like to be able to build a community center on the South Side of Chicago to help “give people some hope to know that there’s more than just bad stuff out there.”

Frosh of the Year?

Looking ahead to her college career, Loyd says she aspires to earn the NCAA Freshman of the Year title in her first year.

“I don’t think Freshman of the Year would be a far-fetched goal for her. The worst thing you can do is doubt Jewell Loyd, because she’s gonna prove you wrong,” says Konsewicz.

This lesson in disproving others’ doubts is a lasting one that Konsewicz has taught Loyd.“People are going to doubt you, but you have the ability to change their minds and judgments about you if you just put in the effort. I think that’s what Niles West girls basketball is all about, really,” Loyd says.

Konsewicz says “It has been such a joy to watch a player of this magnitude.”

“I’ve told college coaches and everybody else, if Jewell does decide to go to your school, you’re getting the complete package because for as great of a basketball player that Jewell is, she’s twice the person.”

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