CHICAGO (April 17, 2019) – A pair of junior college transfers – Keith Clemons (Norcross, Ga./Wesley Christian/Vincennes) and Jalon Pipkins (Paris, Texas/Paris/Paris CC) - have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Loyola University Chicago men's basketball program for the 2019-20 season, Ramblers head coach Porter Moser announced today. Clemons and Pipkins, who will each have two years of eligibility remaining, join a highly regarded crop of early signees that includes guards Marquise Kennedy (Chicago, Ill./Brother Rice) and Paxson Wojcik (Charleston, S.C./La Lumiere) and forward Tom Welch (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North).
 
"With the freshmen coming in, combined with Jalon and Keith, we have added as much athleticism and skill in one class since I've been at Loyola," Moser said. "All of them fit the mold of, high-character individuals who are competitors, winners and good students."
 
Loyola has had unprecedented success the last two seasons. The Ramblers won their second straight Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title in 2018-19, sharing the crown with Drake, and made their second consecutive postseason appearance, earning a berth in the National Invitation Tournament. Moser welcomes back three starters, including First Team All-MVC center Cameron Krutwig (Algonquin, Ill./Jacobs) and fellow junior Lucas Williamson (Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young).
 
Complete bios on Loyola's spring signees can be found below.
 
Keith Clemons, 6-1, Guard, Norcross, Ga. (Wesley Christian/Vincennes)
Averaged 15.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game in 2018-19, while helping Vincennes to a 34-2 overall record and the NJCAA Division I national championship … Totaled 17 points, a pair of rebounds and seven assists against Ranger in the national championship game … Owned a 2.6 assist-to-turnover ratio (183-71) in 2018-19 and scored in double figures 30 times in 36 appearances … Poured in 20 or more points on 10 occasions as a sophomore, going a perfect 15-for-15 from the foul line on his way to a season-high, 30-point performance in a victory over Southwestern Illinois … Received All-Region 24 honors and was also named to the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball All-Tournament Team … During his freshman campaign in 2017-18, put up 10.9 ppg, 1.7 rpg and 2.7 apg with a 3.1 assist-to-turnover ratio (101-33) in 37 games … Scored in double figures 21 times in 2017-18, netting a season-best 22 points on a pair of occasions – versus Fort Smith and at Lewis and Clark … Shot 51.8 percent (133-for-257) from the field and 47.1 percent (72-for-153) from three-point land in 2017-18 … In two seasons at Vincennes, was an 81.7 percent (228-for-279) shooter from the free throw line.
 
Moser on Clemons: "Keith is an absolute winner who was a state champion in high school and national champion at the junior college level. He's an extremely competitive defender and has the speed to play the pace we like. He has a high basketball IQ and is the ultimate competitor."
 
Jalon Pipkins, 6-4, Guard, Paris, Texas (Paris/Paris JC)
Averaged 21.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and shot 46.6 percent (236-for-506) from the field, 35.8 percent (62-for-173) from three-point territory and 78.1 percent (107-for-137) from the foul line at Paris Community College in 2018-19 … Earned First Team All-Region XIV accolades this season … Spent the 2017-18 campaign at Cal State Northridge and contributed 3.1 ppg, and 1.0 rpg, while knocking down 89.5 percent (17-for-19) of his foul shots … At Paris High School, he lit up the scoreboard for 22 ppg to go with 6.3 rpg, 6.1 apg and 3.5 spg and collected all-state and district MVP accolades as a senior.
 
Moser on Pipkins: "Jalon has the athleticism to be a great two-way player in The Valley. He's long, competitive, has range from three and can finish at the rim. I love his grind and willingness to improve. He has scored at a high clip in junior college and I love how much he wanted to build on a winning culture."