CHICAGO (April 19, 2023) – Clayton Custer, one of the most decorated players in Loyola University Chicago men's basketball history, will return to his alma mater as head coach Drew Valentine announced Wednesday the addition of Custer to the staff as the team's new assistant coach.
 
Custer has spent the last two seasons at Oklahoma under former Rambler head coach Porter Moser as the Sooners' director of video operations and player development. This will mark Custers' second stint on the Loyola staff, having served as the team's director of player development in during the 2020-21 season.
 
"I couldn't be more excited to be coming back to my alma mater," said Custer. I know I'm originally from Kansas City, but I consider Loyola home. I love Loyola and the city of Chicago. I appreciate Coach Valentine for giving me the opportunity to come back and can't wait to create more memories with the Ramblers!"
 
During the 2020-21 season in which Custer was part of the coaching staff, the Ramblers posted a 25-4 record, won the MVC regular season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16. Seeded eighth, they knocked off Georgia Tech in the NCAA first round before topping No. 1 seed Illinois in the second round. Loyola finished the year with a No. 17 AP ranking."
 
"I'm incredibly excited to welcome Clayton back to Chicago," added Valentine. "The passion and commitment for our program that he and all his former teammates have is exactly why he is the perfect fit. Clay has always had a high-level work ethic and his experience as a player and coach so far have prepared him to be a star in the profession."
 
Custer, who starred in Rogers Park during the 2016-17 through 2018-19 seasons, started 99 games in his three-year career with the Ramblers and helped the program to a 70-34 (.673) record. He was named MVC Player of the Year as a redshirt junior in 2017-18, the same season Loyola went 32-6 and advanced to the Final Four (as a No. 11 seed) for the first time since 1963. Custer started all 33 games in which he appeared that season and averaged 13.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals per contest while shooting 45.1% (60-for-133) from 3-point range. He was also an honorable mention AP All-American that season.
 
"He will be instrumental in developing our current student-athletes, as well as recruiting future young men to create the same memories he made as a player here. I can't wait to work alongside Clay as we pursue championships," added Valentine.
 
A third-team Academic All-American and third-team All-MVC selection as a redshirt senior in 2018-19, Custer captured the men's 3-point title at the State Farm College Slam Dunk and 3-Point Championships at the Final Four in Minneapolis following his collegiate career.
 
Custer transferred to Loyola from Iowa State, where he saw action in 12 games as a freshman during the 2014-15 season. He attended Blue Valley Northwest High School in Overland Park, Kan., earning three first-team Class 6-A All-State honors and securing a No. 92 national recruit ranking by Rivals.
 
Following his collegiate playing career, Custer played professionally for part of the 2019-20 season in Poland.
 
Custer earned his bachelor's degree in finance in 2018 and his MBA in 2019, both from Loyola.