CHICAGO – Loyola Chicago head coach
Drew Valentine announced the additions of student athletes to the 2026-27 men's basketball roster. This article will be updated as our newest Ramblers complete their signings.
Guillaume Grotzinger | Guard | 6-1 | 180 | Dessenheim, France
Grotzinger joins the Ramblers after playing the 2025-26 season for Champagne in the France-ELITE 2 league. He appeared in 32 games, averaging 24.3 minutes per game. Grotzinger averaged 14.5 points per game, while averaging 52.9 percent on two-point baskets. He shot 37 percent from three. Grotzinger also added 2.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game. He scored at least 10 points on 20 occasions, including seven 20-point performances. Grotzinger dropped a season-high 25 points two times and recorded two double-doubles with 10 assists in each effort.
Valentine on Grotzinger: "Guillaume is a poised, experienced, and mature guard that we cannot wait to get to work with. He's played at a very high level and has showcased his speed, athleticism, and ability to playmake and score both on and off of the ball. We have loved getting to know him throughout the process and love how competitive and tough he is. Our staff is fired up to get him to the States!"
Grotzinger on Loyola: "I had a good feeling about Loyola after meeting with the staff and seeing how they wanted to use my skill on the court. I got to see the facilities, campus, and city on a call and was lucky enough to have Coach Chris come out to France and watch me play. They are the only staff who came all the way here to watch me. I had a good feeling about Loyola after that, and it played a big role in my decision. I can't wait to get to Chicago and discover a new country, basketball style, and teammates. Let's get to work and bring some wins to Loyola!"
Dayton Williams | Guard | 6-4 | 190 | Louisville, Ky.
Williams joins the Ramblers after playing in 33 games last season as a freshman at Vincennes. He averaged 11.0 points per game on 46.5 percent from the field and 37 percent from three. Williams also averaged 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. The Louisville native posted 17 games with at least 10 points scored, including a career-high 25 points on 9-9 from the field and 7-7 from three against Richard J. Daley. Williams had five games with double-digit boards. He neared a triple-double with 10 points, season-high 14 rebounds, and nine assists vs. Lake Land College.
Valentine on Williams: "Dayton is a total WINNER. He impacts the game on both sides of the floor and also has the talent to make plays on his own. He has been incredibly well coached. Dayton has a knack for making big shots and being an efficient shooter in addition to having the ability to guard multiple positions. We cannot wait to get to work with him!"
Williams on Loyola: "Loyola has the best opportunity for me to be in a competitive environment and compete for championships. It is the place to push me every day and grow as a player and person. I really enjoyed getting to know the coaching staff. They made me feel comfortable, and I could tell I would be supported both on and off the court. I am excited to compete at a high level, build chemistry with my teammates, and be part of a winning culture. I'm ready to get to work and do whatever it takes to help the team succeed!"
Jason Schofield | Center | 6-10 | 240 | Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Schofield started his career at Marist where he logged two seasons of work on the court. He appeared in 54 career games and made 18 starts last season as a redshirt sophomore. Schofield averaged 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.7 blocks per game last year. He shot over 54 percent from the field to lead the team. Schofield had 10 double-figure efforts highlighted by a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards against Merrimack. He had eight double-digit performances as a freshman in 2024-25, including a career-high 17 points vs. Merrimack. He posted his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 boards vs. Canisus.
Valentine on Schofield: "We are fired up to have Jason a part of the Rambler family! He comes from a big time defensive program and has been one of the most efficient offensive bigs per 40 minutes in the country. He's a physical and cerebral offensive player that can really rebound the ball. Our staff feels great about Jason's FIT for us!"
Schofield on Loyola: "Right away, when I stepped on campus, it felt like home to me. I could see myself fitting in with the program and impacting the culture on and off the court. After a great visit and conversations with the coaching staff, I knew this was where I wanted to spend the last two years of my college career. I can't wait to get to Chicago and campus and get to work with my new teammates. I want to win, and I believe Loyola is the place to do it!"
Eddie Ricks III | Forward | 6-8 | 215 | Clarksville, Tenn.
Ricks III joins Loyola after playing the last two seasons at James Madison. In 2025-26, he made 20 starts over 32 appearances as a junior. Ricks III averaged 7.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He had eight games with 10 or more points and four games with 10 or more rebounds. Ricks III tallied three double-doubles on the year, including a season-high 16 points and 10 rebounds at Georgia Southern. In his sophomore campaign, Ricks III started 26 games and played in all 32. He averaged 6.7 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Ricks III tipped off his collegiate career at Morehead State in 2023-24 where he averaged 7.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg, and 1.4 apg.
Valentine on Ricks III: "Eddie is a WINNER! He competes on both ends of the floor and has tremendous size and athleticism for a wing. Eddie covers so much ground in transition and is really good defensive playmaker! He fits the mold of so many players that had success here. We also love the fact that he has NCAA Tournament experience! We are thrilled to have him in the Rambler Family."
Ricks III on Loyola: "I wanted a change in scenery, play style, and culture. Loyola checked off all of those boxes for me and made it an easy decision. It's the place I want to be next season. The recruitment process was amazing from start to finish. I want to be somewhere I feel wanted. Coach Valentine and his staff made it clear that they wanted me at Loyola, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I can't wait to get to Chicago. I am ready to win and get to work with my new teammates!"
Sterling Knox | Guard | 6-6 | 215 | Las Vegas, Nev.
Knox joins the Ramblers after play a season at Independence Community College. In 2025-26, he started in all 23 appearances, averaging 15.7 points per game on 53.8 percent from the field. Knox also totaled 140 rebounds, 130 assists, and 22 steals last season. He dropped double-figures 20 times, including one 30-point and seven 20-point efforts. Knox went 11-14 from the field and 12-13 from the line to fuel a career-high 34-point performance in a win over Fort Hays Tech Northwest. That career performance capped a three-game stretch of scoring at least 20. He had 20 at Hutchinson and 22 against Pratt CC. Before playing for Indy, Knox spent a season at Creighton in 2023-24 when the Bluejays went on a Sweet 16 run in the NCAA Tournament.
Valentine on Knox: "We love how competitive of a guy Sterling is. He's an extremely versatile guard who's comfortable playmaking and facilitating for others in addition to slashing to the rim when off of the ball. He has DI experience and knows what the "grind" is all about! He's a total hoops junkie and gym rat that will fit right in with our culture. Can't wait to get to work with him!"
Knox on Loyola: "Loyola Chicago is the right fit for my play style. Coach Valentine and his staff made me feel wanted, and I know I will strive to be successful here. The coaching staff is one of the main reasons I committed to Loyola. They see a bright future for me, and I clicked with them from the start. I am excited to get to work and bring this program back on top! Can't wait to be part of the Rambler family."
Donald Hand Jr. | Guard | 6-5 | 210 | Virginia Beach, Va.
Hand Jr. tipped off his career at Boston College where he's played the last four seasons. Over the last two years, he started in 57 games while averaging 14.2 points per game. He put up his best averages as a redshirt junior with 15.7 points per game on 37.7 percent from the field and 70 made threes. He added 6.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists. Last season, Hand Jr. averaged 12.4 points per game. He dropped double-figures 19 times, including five 20-point outings. Hand Jr. had a season-best 26 points twice, and he had one double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds vs. Temple.
Valentine on Hand Jr.: "DJ brings us a real ability to put the ball in the basket, but what we love more about him is the contagious energy he brings to the room! He's an experienced guard that can score at three levels and draw fouls at the rim. Our staff loves his work ethic, and we feel that he can be a major impact on our culture with his character and maturity!"
Hand Jr. on Loyola: "Loyola Chicago is the place for me. Coach Valentine and I have the same vision and goals. We both have something to prove, and I can't wait to get to do it. Once I got to campus, there was an immediate connection. Coach Valentine reached out to me every day leading up to my visit. I was an amazing experience when I got there. I am so excited to get to Chicago and win some games in front of the best fans in the country."
Ryan Agarwal | Guard | 6-6 | 205 | Coppell, Texas
Agarwal played the last four seasons at Stanford and became a key player for the Cardinal the last two seasons, totaling over 60 appearances and 48 starts. As a junior in 2024-25, Agarwal had his best season of averages with 7.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. He finished in double-figures nine times, highlighted by a 15-point performance against Northern Arizona. Agarwal followed up with 5.9 points per game as a senior and eight double-figure efforts. He dropped a career-high 20 points in a win over North Carolina. He is a two-time ACC All-Academic Team selection.
Valentine on Agarwal: "We are super excited to welcome Ryan and his family to Chicago. Ryan is a guy that is known for his ability to shoot the ball from deep, but our staff loves the fact that he is truly a student of the game. He's been well schooled in how to play, and we think in our style of play he will get to show his full arsenal of shot making and playmaking. He fits the mold of so many successful players in our culture that came before him, and we feel that he will shine in the maroon and gold!"
Agarwal on Loyola: "There is an opportunity to do great things at Loyola, and I want to be part of that. They're in a great league and have had great success. I look forward to being part of that. I feel like I've built genuine relationships with the coaches throughout my visits and calls. Coach Valentine is the epitome of a players coach. I am most excited about meeting they guys, explore my new role and environment, and most importantly win!"
Malick Diallo | Center | 6-9 | 240 | Bamako, Mali
Diallo is a transfer from TCU where he tipped off his collegiate career. As a freshman in 2024-25, Diallo played in 29 games where he averaged 2.2 points and 2.7 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game. He had a season-high 10 points against Oklahoma State and a season-best 10 rebounds vs. Montana State. He made his first career start in the season opener last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury. As a high schooler, Diallo was a four-star recruit by ESPN and rated the No. 30 center in the nation by 247Sports. He played for his country at the FIBA U18 African Championship in 2022 and averaged 10.9 points and 11.7 rebounds over seven games.
Valentine on Diallo: "Malick brings an infectious spirit and energy to every room that he's in, and we can't wait to have him bring it to campus! We got to know Malick quite well through the recruiting process in high school and are excited to finally have him apart of the family. He brings our frontcourt a great blend of toughness, skill, and physicality and has some physical gifts and tools you can't teach. Happy to have him in the maroon and gold!"
Diallo on Loyola: "Having prior relationships with the coaching staff at Loyola Chicago made this opportunity feel like the right one to make from the jump. Coach Valentine and his staff were transparent from the start and everything we spoke about felt natural and made sense from both sides. It truly feels like the best fit. I can't wait to compete, bring energy on the court, and get to work and win with my new team and coaches."
Dayan Nessah | Guard | 6-8 | 215 | Geneva, Switzerland
Nessah appeared and started in 27 games at Cleveland State last season for his sophomore campaign. He averaged 15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game. Nessah shot over 56 percent from the field and 74.2 percent from the line. Nessah had 21 double-figure scoring performances, including seven over the 20-point mark. He opened the year on a six-game streak, sparking it with 25 in the opener against Loyola. He dropped a career-high 31 at Wright State. Both were double-doubles and he finished the year with five total. Nessah started his career at George Washington as a freshman where he appeared in 21 games. He was previously selected to the Swiss U18 National Team as part of the 2024 FIBA Euro tournament and ranked as the No. 12 prospect in Europe as a senior.
Valentine on Nessah: "We got to witness how talented Dayan is firsthand. He is a versatile scorer and playmaker that really knows how to get downhill and get fouled. He's been incredibly dynamic in international play, and we think he can really impact winning on BOTH sides of the ball. Couldn't be happier to have him a part of the family!"
Nessah on Loyola: "Loyola felt like the right fit for me both on and off the court. I loved the culture and vision for the program. The coaching staff made me feel wanted right away, and I could picture myself developing here. I could tell they really believed in me and had a good plan for how I would fit into the program. I'm ready to get to campus and start building relationships with my teammates, coaches, and community. I will do whatever it takes to help the team win next season!"
