CHICAGO (November 11, 2020) – Loyola University Chicago men's basketball head coach Porter Moser announced today the signing of local standouts Ty Johnson and Ben Schwieger to National Letters of Intent. Johnson and Schwieger will be eligible to compete for the Ramblers beginning with the 2021-22 season. 
 
"We felt like we needed to add some length in our backcourt and feel we accomplished that in Ty and Ben," Moser said. "Both have an outstanding work ethic and they were a great fit for us because they wanted to win and win the right way."
 
The signing continues a trend of Moser and the Ramblers landing some of the area's top talent. In the last seven years, Loyola has successfully recruited Chicago area stars Milton Doyle (Chicago, Ill./Marshall), Donte Ingram (Chicago, Ill./Simeon), Cameron Krutwig (Algonquin, Ill./Jacobs), Lucas Williamson (Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young), Marquise Kennedy (Chicago, Ill./Brother Rice) and Tom Welch (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) among others.
 
Here is a breakdown on each member of the recruiting class.
 
Ty Johnson, 6-3, Guard, Chicago, Ill. (DePaul College Prep)
During his junior season at DePaul College Prep, was a second team all-city and honorable mention all-state selection, averaging 22.1 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals per game … Helped lead the Rams to a 24-5 regular-season record in 2019-20 … Over his last two seasons, has knocked down 119 three-point field goals … Named to the Hinsdale Central All-Tournament Team, DePaul Prep Thanksgiving All-Tournament Team and was also a First Team All-Chicago Catholic League pick as a junior … Also tabbed Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) First Team All-State, Chicago Sun-Times All-Area and Chicago Sun-Times All-City … Named DePaul Prep team MVP as a junior … Earned all-conference honors as a sophomore and helped DePaul Prep to a third-place finish at the IHSA Tournament and a Chicago Catholic League championship.
 
Moser on Johnson: "Ty is a dynamic guard who can score at all three levels. He is an ultra-competitive athlete and he's got great length and ability to change speeds, which makes him hard to guard. I love what Ty is about as a person and that he wanted to represent his city. We have had a ton of success with Chicago guys who have wanted to stay home and Ty is another in that long line of players."
 
Johnson on Loyola: "I chose Loyola because Coach Moser and his staff have a winning program that can prepare me to be the best college player I can be and then hopefully play professional basketball. From an academic perspective, as one of the top-ranking universities, Loyola will prepare me for a career in sports management. Also, being able to stay close to home will allow my family and friends to attend games and be a part of my journey. Lastly, my goal is to accept the challenge of bringing the great city of Chicago a NCAA championship!"
 
Ben Schwieger, 6-6, Guard/Forward, Aurora, Ill. (Waubonsie Valley)
Made a huge jump, increasing his scoring average from 3.2 points per game as a sophomore to 16.4 points per game, while also pitching in 5.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals during his junior season … Was ranked among the top 10 prospects in the City/Suburban Hoops Report during his junior season … Helped Waubonsie Valley High School to a 27-5 record in 2019-20 and earned All-DuPage Valley Conference, Daily Herald All-DuPage County All-Area, Beacon News Second Team All-Area, Naperville Sun Second Team All-Area and Prep Hoops Third Team All-State honors … Helped his squad to a regional title in 2019 and to back-to-back Batavia Thanksgiving Tournament championships, as well as the Jacobs Christmas Tournament and Burlington Central MLK Tournament titles … During his sophomore year, also helped Waubonsie Valley to a 27-5 overall record … Also was a starter on the volleyball team.
 
Moser on Schwieger: "Ben is incredibly versatile and has a coveted combination of length, skill and athleticism. His improvement has skyrocketed and he possesses a tremendous upside. Like Ty, Ben is a high-character and competitive individual who loved our culture at Loyola and wanted to stay home and represent Chicago."
 
Schwieger on Loyola: "I chose Loyola for several reasons. First the program has a winning culture and that is something I look forward to being part of, and contributing to, for the next four years. The relationships I built with the coaching staff were also a critical factor. I felt an immediate connection with Coach Valentine and Coach Moser invested time to show how my style of play matches up with what Loyola does on the court. I could see how I fit in right away. Finally, there was the added bonus of Loyola being so close to home and playing in the Missouri Valley Conference. Friends and family can attend games and be a part of the journey with me. Ultimately, Loyola checked off all the boxes that were important to me."
 
Loyola welcomes back all five starters from last season's 21-win team and is scheduled to open up the 2020-21 campaign later this month. The Ramblers have won 20 or more contests in three consecutive seasons and reached the postseason twice in the last three years.