Altman, Ducks Ink Loyd to NLI
EUGENE, Ore. -- University of Oregon head men’s basketball coach Dana Altman has announced the signing of Johnathan Loyd to a National Letter of Intent. Loyd, a 5-9, 165-pound point guard from Las Vegas, Nev., will begin playing for the Ducks in the 2010-11 season.
“Johnathan is an exciting young man who is a proven winner and leader,” Altman said. “He’s a true point guard in every sense. He possesses a quickness that will translate well to Pac-10 Conference.”
Loyd, who has followed Oregon basketball throughout his prep career, attributed several factors to his decision on choosing UO.
"I've followed Oregon since my freshman year in high school - I saw the Ducks play that season and became a fan," Loyd said. "I liked how they used small guards, playing both Aaron Brooks and Tajuan Porter. I saw myself being like that and doing what they did."
Loyd won 102 games in four seasons at Bishop Gorman High School where he earned Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year recognition as a senior. He was also named 2009-10 Class 4A Boys Basketball Player of the Year according to the Las Vegas Review Journal.
In his senior campaign, Loyd guided the Gaels to a 30-2 record and a second consecutive Class 4A state championship. He averaged 14.0 points, 8.2 assists and 3.3 steals per game in his final prep season. Loyd led BGHS to a 69-48 victory over Canyon Springs in the championship game.
Loyd and the Gaels ranked as high as No. 12 nationally in the 2009-10 USA Today prep basketball polls. He earned most valuable player recognition at the 2009 Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Loyd contributed 17 points and four steals in leading BGHS past Columbia (Decatur, Ga.), 54-52, in the tourney title game.
Loyd, who played for head coach Grant Rice at BGHS, averaged 14.2 points and 6.0 assists per game as a junior. He sank the game-winning free throw in the 2008-09 state title bout against Palo Verde High, a game the Gaels won 56-55.
“Johnathan is a true competitor and a true winner. He gives it his all in everything he does,” Rice said of his floor general. “He loves to take on the role of team leader. He’s a standout both on the court and in the classroom.”
Loyd played his AAU basketball for the Las Vegas Prospects under head coach Anthony Brown, who had similar praise for the speedy guard. “His attitude is contagious. He’s a guy that motivates his teammates with his actions,” Brown said.
“Johnathan is going to do things that don’t end up in the stat sheet,” Brown added. “He causes turnovers that he doesn’t get rewarded for. He’s capable of taking the other team’s primary ball-handler out of the game.”
Other schools interested in Loyd included: Florida, Michigan State, Oklahoma, UNLV and Washington State.
Loyd referenced UO's facilities as a determining factors for becoming a Duck. He is coming off a recruiting weekend that featured home baseball, football and track and field events.
"It was fun. I played football and ran track in high school, so it was cool to see how everything works up there," Loyd said of his visit to Eugene. "I had a lot of fun at the spring game and really enjoyed that experience.”
Loyd was also an accomplished prep football player, leading BGHS to a 4A state title on the gridiron as a senior. He was named first team all-state as a return man in 2009, taking five punts back for touchdowns, while also averaging 32.6 yards per kick return.
“Johnathan is an exciting young man who is a proven winner and leader,” Altman said. “He’s a true point guard in every sense. He possesses a quickness that will translate well to Pac-10 Conference.”
Loyd, who has followed Oregon basketball throughout his prep career, attributed several factors to his decision on choosing UO.
"I've followed Oregon since my freshman year in high school - I saw the Ducks play that season and became a fan," Loyd said. "I liked how they used small guards, playing both Aaron Brooks and Tajuan Porter. I saw myself being like that and doing what they did."
Loyd won 102 games in four seasons at Bishop Gorman High School where he earned Nevada Gatorade Player of the Year recognition as a senior. He was also named 2009-10 Class 4A Boys Basketball Player of the Year according to the Las Vegas Review Journal.
In his senior campaign, Loyd guided the Gaels to a 30-2 record and a second consecutive Class 4A state championship. He averaged 14.0 points, 8.2 assists and 3.3 steals per game in his final prep season. Loyd led BGHS to a 69-48 victory over Canyon Springs in the championship game.
Loyd and the Gaels ranked as high as No. 12 nationally in the 2009-10 USA Today prep basketball polls. He earned most valuable player recognition at the 2009 Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Loyd contributed 17 points and four steals in leading BGHS past Columbia (Decatur, Ga.), 54-52, in the tourney title game.
Loyd, who played for head coach Grant Rice at BGHS, averaged 14.2 points and 6.0 assists per game as a junior. He sank the game-winning free throw in the 2008-09 state title bout against Palo Verde High, a game the Gaels won 56-55.
“Johnathan is a true competitor and a true winner. He gives it his all in everything he does,” Rice said of his floor general. “He loves to take on the role of team leader. He’s a standout both on the court and in the classroom.”
Loyd played his AAU basketball for the Las Vegas Prospects under head coach Anthony Brown, who had similar praise for the speedy guard. “His attitude is contagious. He’s a guy that motivates his teammates with his actions,” Brown said.
“Johnathan is going to do things that don’t end up in the stat sheet,” Brown added. “He causes turnovers that he doesn’t get rewarded for. He’s capable of taking the other team’s primary ball-handler out of the game.”
Other schools interested in Loyd included: Florida, Michigan State, Oklahoma, UNLV and Washington State.
Loyd referenced UO's facilities as a determining factors for becoming a Duck. He is coming off a recruiting weekend that featured home baseball, football and track and field events.
"It was fun. I played football and ran track in high school, so it was cool to see how everything works up there," Loyd said of his visit to Eugene. "I had a lot of fun at the spring game and really enjoyed that experience.”
Loyd was also an accomplished prep football player, leading BGHS to a 4A state title on the gridiron as a senior. He was named first team all-state as a return man in 2009, taking five punts back for touchdowns, while also averaging 32.6 yards per kick return.
