Leo Ricketts, a 6‑foot guard who averaged 19.7 points per game at Citrus College last season, has officially joined the Loyola Greyhounds men’s basketball program after a highly productive junior‑college career.
Ricketts arrives after a standout season in which he shot 47.5 percent from three‑point range and dished out 3.9 assists per game, numbers that helped the Owls average 102.5 points per contest under a fast‑breaking offense.
The Greyhounds are reshaping after losing their top five scorers from the previous campaign, including point guard Braeden Speed and big man Emmett Adair, a move that opened the door for new talent.
Coach Josh Loeffler, who took over the program last summer, praised Ricketts’s winning mentality and adaptability, noting that the guard’s skill set fits perfectly with Loyola’s emphasis on tempo and transition play.
A Fast‑Paced Future
Ricketts will be joined by ten newcomers, among them transfers from Wofford, UC Davis, Kansas City, Louisiana Monroe and VMI, while five returning players — guards Carter Berg‑McLean and Troy Cicero Jr., wings Sebastien Emenalo and Sam Springer, and big man Goap Kodi — are expected to shoulder leadership duties.
The coaching staff has been focusing on transition offense and defense during recent practices, a strategy that aligns with the Greyhounds’ 2024‑25 ranking as the fastest team in the Patriot League.
Ricketts expressed enthusiasm for the program’s inclusive culture, describing the locker room as having zero knuckleheads and highlighted his excitement about contributing to a system that values both shooting prowess and playmaking.
With the NCAA’s new five‑for‑five eligibility rule, the guard hopes to preserve three years of eligibility and make an immediate impact as the Greyhounds aim to climb from their No 132 national tempo ranking toward a deeper postseason run.