CHICAGO – Loyola Chicago men's basketball announced the signing of five transfers to the 2025-26 roster. Head coach
Drew Valentine added three guards and a pair of forwards from the portal.
Xavier Amos | Forward | 6-8 | 220 | Chicago, Ill. – Whitney Young (Wisconsin)
Amos played his first two seasons at Northern Illinois before transferring to Wisconsin for the 2024-25 season. He played in all 37 games for the Badgers and posted three games with at least 10 points. Amos scored a season-high 12 points against Washington (Feb. 25) and dropped 11 points in UW's NCAA Tournament game vs. Montana. As a sophomore at NIU, Amos averaged 13.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game over 25 starts. He shot over 49 percent from the floor, including 38.5 percent from three-point range. He set his career-high in points (26) vs. Northwestern (Nov. 27).
In high school, Amos led Whitney Young to a 2021-22 Chicago Public League title, ultimately finishing as the Illinois Class 4A runner-up. After averaging 18 points, nine rebounds, and four blocks per game as a senior, Amos was tabbed to the Chicago Sun-Times All-State First Team, IBCA Class 4A All-State First Team, and AP Illinois Class 4A All-State Second Team honors.
Valentine on Amos: "We are excited to welcome Xavier back home to Chicago! He's someone that we've known since his High School days, and we love the way that he's developed since. X is a versatile and athletic forward that can defend, dribble, pass, and shoot and will be an excellent fit on BOTH sides of the ball for us. Couldn't be happier to have him!"
Amos on Loyola: "I think the fit was just right. I felt the comfortability as soon as I stepped on campus. Coach Valentine and the rest of the coaching staff have a great vision for this team, and we will do some big things. And of course, it's great to come home and put on for the city of Chicago."
Kayde Dotson | Guard | 6-1 | 190 | Beaumont, Texas – Beaumont United (New Mexico)
Dotson started his career at New Mexico, making 32 appearances for the Lobos last season. He shot 41.7 percent from the field and three-point range. Dotson made his career debut vs. Nicholls (Nov. 4) and dropped a career-high 18 points in a 100-81 win over Texas A&M Corpus Christie (Nov. 12).
During his senior season of high school, Dotson was ranked the No. 30 combo-guard nationally and No. 13 player in Texas by 247Sports. He led Beaumont United to the 2021 and 2022 Texas 5A state championships and a 2023 runner-up finish.
Valentine on Dotson: "Kayde is someone we identified going back a few years to his high school and AAU days as someone that could be a high-level guard in the A-10. He's got a great combination of speed, shooting, and a physical frame. However, what our staff is most excited about with Kayde is the fact that he is a WINNER! Can't wait to coach him!"
Dotson on Loyola: "The relationship and trust I have been able to build with coach Valentine truly impacted my decision to come to Loyola. I believe he and the rest of the coaching staff can help develop my game to the next level. I can't wait to get to Chicago and get to work!"
Dominick Harris | Guard | 6-3 | 190 | Murrieta, Calif. – Rancho Christian (UCLA)
Harris played in 12 games for UCLA last season after spending the prior year at Loyola Marymount. During his junior season at Loyola, Harris made 24 appearances and led the team, averaging 14.3 points. He led the WCC and was third in the nation in three-point percentage (.448) that year, averaging 2.7 makes per game. He had seven 20-point outings that year. Harris tipped off his collegiate career at Gonzaga, appearing in 38 career games with the Zags.
A four-year letterwinner, Harris played for both Rancho Christian and Pacific Christian high schools. In 2017, Harris helped Pacific Christian to the CIF Southern Section Division 6 title game and was tabbed the SoCal Sidelines MVP and the All-Orange County Freshman of the Year. Harris continued to rake in the high school honors, earning MaxPreps All-State, two All-Tournament, Second Team All-Area, and All-San Joaquin League accolades.
Valentine on Harris: "Our staff couldn't be more pumped to welcome Dom into our family! He's a skilled, athletic, and competitive guy that can play with high level offensive energy. Those types of guys have done extremely well here and while watching him, he reminds us so much of Sheldon Edwards. He's a guy that comes from a great athletic and basketball family. We are excited to welcome them all to Rambler Nation!"
Harris on Loyola: "I am excited to join this elite program. What stood out most was the vision and belief the coaching staff has in me—not just as a player, but as a leader. Their commitment to winning and building something special made this an easy decision. I'm excited to be part of a program with such strong support, a beautiful campus, and a culture that expects to compete in March. I'm ready to impact winning from day one!"
Joshua Ola-Joseph | Forward | 6-7 | 215 | Brooklyn Park, Minn. – Compass Prep (Cal)
In 2024-25, Ola-Joseph played at Cal, appearing in 24 games for the Golden Bears. He averaged 7.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game as a junior. Ola-Joseph posted eight double-figure outings, including a 21-point and eight-rebound performance vs. Cornell (Dec. 10). Ola-Joseph started his career at Minnesota where he played in 60 games. In his sophomore campaign, he shot over 60 percent from the field, which included 13 double-figure performances. He posted season-highs of 17 points as both a freshman and sophomore.
Ola-Joseph's high school career spanned across AZ Compass Prep School and Osseo High School in Minnesota. In his junior season at Osseo, he averaged 16.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 3.0 blocks. He dropped a 36-point game as a sophomore and averaged over 13 ppg.
Valentine on Ola-Joseph: "Josh is another young man that we have spent a lot of time recruiting in the past and we are excited that he's FINALLY a Rambler. He's a big-time athlete on the wing with a versatile skill set that will fit seamlessly into our style of play. He has so much untapped ability as a player, and we are excited to see what being a part of our championship culture will do for him!"
Ola-Joseph on Loyola: "Coach Valentine and Coach Dwyer have recruited me since high school and have big expectations for me this upcoming season. I felt super comfortable with them and knowing them for so long helped make the decision easy. I love the play style and the history of winning. I can't wait to get to Chicago this summer. Let's get to work!"
Deywilk Tavarez | Guard | 6-2 | 190 | Pennsauken, N.J. – Academy of the New Church (Charleston)
Tavarez comes to Loyola after playing last season at Charleston. He made 23 starts over 27 appearances, averaging 12.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. He had 20 double-figure performances, including a career-high 32 points against Northeastern (Jan. 18). He also dropped 30 against Loyola in the Diamond Head Classic. Tavarez shot over 41 percent from both the field and three-point range and finished the season with 68 assists and 29 steals.
Tavarez began his collegiate career at Delaware State where he was tabbed the MEAC Rookie of the Year. He finished the season ranked fourth overall in the MEAC in points per game (17.0), fourth in field goal percentage (43.2), seventh in free throw percentage (81.8), fifth in three-pointers per game (2.1), third in assists per game (3.5) and third in steals per game (1.8).
Valentine on Tavarez: "Seeing it first-hand this season, we know the impact that Deywilk can have. He's a potent scorer with deep range that can also create plays for others as a facilitator. He's an extremely high character young man that fits our culture and style of play perfectly. Our staff is excited to have him as a Rambler!"
Tavarez on Loyola: "I chose Loyola because it felt like a home away from home. Coach Valentine and the staff welcomed me and my family with nothing but love and that's what stood out to me the most. Loyola is a great school, athletically and academically, in a great city with an established winning culture and there's proof behind it. I'm ready to get to work right away and help Loyola continue dancing late in March. It's different here."
