Loyola made Jacobs big man Cameron Krutwig a main Class of 2017 target by recruiting him the last two years.
Those efforts paid off for the Ramblers on Tuesday as the 6-foot-9, 270-pound Krutwig committed to Loyola.
One of the best local college basketball prospects in the area, Krutwig averaged 17.9 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.6 blocks and 2.4 steals per game as a junior, leading the Golden Eagles to a 23-7 record, Fox Valley Valley conference title and a Class 4A regional title. A skilled big man who is one of the area's best passers -- regardless of position -- Krutwig shot 66 percent from the field and led Jacobs with 73 assists last season.
Krutwig felt like the Loyola staff recruited him at a solid pace, not overdoing it with calls and texts like some programs, as they did a great job of getting to know him as a person. Krutwig told CSN that Loyola felt like the right fit for him on and off the court.
"I developed a really good relationship with the coach and with the staff and their players," Krutwig said about Loyola. "I think that they have good guys on their team to be around. I went up there yesterday with my brother and we were eating lunch and joking around and stuff like that. Just a good environment. And they want to win as bad as I do. They want to win. And I just like their guys and coaching staff a lot."
Loyola only loses senior guard Milton Doyle from their 2016-17 roster as Krutwig could step in and be a key piece right away. With his passing ability and the way the Ramblers play their offense, Krutwig could be a piece to play some high-low with in the post.
"They don't have many bigs. They have two bigs this year. I feel like I can come in right away and impact. They'll only have three bigs and I hope that I can come in and play right away."
Krutwig is Loyola's first commitment in the Class of 2017 and gives them another talented local player to work with.