CHICAGO (April 25, 2022) – Loyola University Chicago added more experience to its 2022-23 roster today with head men's basketball coach Drew Valentine's announcement that Philip Alston (Columbus, Ohio/Westerville North/California of Pennsylvania) and Sheldon Edwards (West Palm Beach, Fla./TLAP Sports Academy/Valparaiso) will join the Ramblers' program. Alston will have two seasons of eligibility remaining, while Edwards will have three.
 
Alston had a breakthrough season in 2021-22, earning NCAA Division II Second Team All-America honors after tallying 21.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per game and helping California University of Pennsylvania to the NCAA Tournament. 
 
Edwards is the fourth transfer to join the Ramblers this month and is coming off a solid season in which he averaged 11.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game for Valparaiso, earning Missouri Valley Conference All-Bench Team recognition. In two games against the Ramblers in 2021-22, Edwards was lethal at both ends of the floor, victimizing Loyola for 21.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg and 2.5 spg, while going 16-for-26 (.615) from the field and 8-for-15 (.533) from three-point range.
 
Loyola has had abundant success in identifying and developing transfers, placing a transfer on a Missouri Valley Conference all-league team in six consecutive seasons, with two of those individuals – Clayton Custer (2018) and Marques Townes (2019) - earning MVC Player of the Year recognition.
 
Read about more Alston and Edwards below.
 
Philip Alston, 6-6, 225, Forward, Columbus, Ohio (Westerville North/California of Pennsylvania)
Had a breakout campaign in 2021-22, earning NCAA Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) Third Team All-America honors after putting up 21.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks per game in his first season as a starter at California University of Pennsylvania … Ranked second in NCAA Division II with 21 double-doubles in 2021-22 and became the third player in the last 30-plus seasons to lead the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in both scoring and rebounding … Scored eight or more points in all 33 contests in 2021-22 and reached double figures on 31 occasions … Scored at least 20 points on 18 occasions as a sophomore, highlighted by six 30-point performances … Helped lead California of Pennsylvania to its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2008 … Ranked 15^thin the nation in scoring and 11^thin rebounding in 2021-22 … As a freshman in 2019-20, averaged 3.9 ppg and 2.1 rpg … Earned PSAC Scholar-Athlete recognition … Two-time second team all-conference and honorable mention all-district performer at Westerville North High School.
 
Valentine on Alston: "Phil is a dynamic player that is just scratching the surface of what he could be. He has a tremendous family that has developed him into a high-character and blue-collar young man. He reminds us a lot of Aher Uguak in that he can really impact the game with his athleticism and motor on both sides of the floor. Phil has really improved as a perimeter player over the last few years and he's a more-than-capable driver to the basket.
 
Alston on Loyola: "Loyola was one of, if not the first, schools to contact me once I entered the portal, so since day one they've been in contact with me and expressing how much they wanted and need me. On my visit, I felt very comfortable and related to both the coaches and team. Everyone gets along and has a winning mentality. One of my goals is to play against great teams and competition every night and the A-10 is a terrific league with a lot of talented players. I knew this would be a great place to play, where I could win games and continue to grow and develop. With the winning culture they have at Loyola, coupled with it being in such a great, big city like Chicago, it was a no-brainer decision for me."
 
Sheldon Edwards, 6-4, 180, Guard, West Palm Beach, Fla. (TLAP Academy/Valparaiso)
Played the last two seasons at Valparaiso University and after earning Missouri Valley Conference All-Freshman Team honors in 2020-21, was named to the MVC All-Bench and MVC Most Improved teams in 2021-22 … Accounted for 11.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in 2021-22 and led the Beacons in steals (36), blocked shots (26) and three-point field goals made (67) … Scored in double figures on 20 occasions last season, topping the 20-point mark three times, including both appearances against Loyola … Finished the regular season as one of three MVC players with 30 or more steals and 20 or more blocked shots and one of seven players nationally with 25 blocks, 30 steals, 35 assists and 60 made threes … Tied for ninth in the MVC in made threes per game with 2.1 … As a rookie in 2020-21, he made 12 starts and provided 8.1 ppg and 2.9 rpg, while sinking a team-high 36 treys … Scored in double figures nine times during his freshman campaign … Prior to his stint at Valpo, he averaged 21.2 ppg and 7.6 rpg as a senior at Palm Beach Lakes High School in 2018-19 and then spent a postgraduate year at TLAP Sports Academy in 2019-20, where he tallied 32.0 ppg.
 
Valentine on Edwards: "We got to see first-hand how dynamic of a player Sheldon can be. He can really get it going with his shot creation ability and he rally took a step forward this year as a defender. Sheldon brings a high-level work ethic and desire to be a great player, which will fit in perfectly with our culture. With three years of eligibility remaining, we know he's shown how good he can be, but we are most excited that he still has room to grow."
 
Edwards on Loyola: "What ultimately solidified the decision for me was the vibe I got from the coaching staff, players and campus. I've always had an admiration for Loyola and as soon as I stepped on campus it felt like something clicked. Getting to know more about the program and seeing how everyone is so bought into the culture that's been created was beautiful. The proof is in the success that these guys have had. They hold themselves to such a high standard both on and off the court and I feel like they bring such a professional dynamic that will help me set, surpass and re-raise that bar and standard that I have for myself both on the court and in life. I am so grateful for this opportunity and can't wait to get to work!"
 
Loyola is coming off of a 25-8 overall record in 2021-22 in Valentine's first season at the helm of the program. The Ramblers reached the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last five seasons and posted their fifth straight season with 20 or more wins. Next season, Loyola will compete as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference.