Schlib Enters NBA Draft Camp, Returns for Loyola Season
After participating in the NBA Pre-Draft Camp in Orlando in June, Loyola junior guard Blake Schilb decided to withdraw from the NBA Draft and return to school for his senior season. He did not hire an agent, thereby maintaining his collegiate eligibility.
Blake Schilb
“This isn’t a surprise to us,” Loyola head coach Jim Whitesell says.“This has been a great experience for Blake and has gotten his name on the radar of all the NBA teams.The teams we talked to felt there was a lot of potential for him after he had a good showing at the Pre-Draft Camp. We’re happy to have Blake back and we look forward to coaching him again—and hopefully helping him fulfill his dream.”
Schilb helped lead Loyola to a 19-11 record in 2005-06, its best showing since 1984-85 when the team went 27-6 and reached the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.The 6’ 7” guard averaged team highs of 19.1 points and 3.9 assists to go with 5.2 rebounds per game this season en route to First Team All-Horizon League honors for the second consecutive campaign. Schilb also became Loyola’s first All-American since Alfredrick Hughes in 1984-85.
Also named a Third Team Mid-Major All-America selection by FOXSports.com, Schilb racked up over 400 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists for the second straight year and scored in double digits in all but one game. After next season, Schilb will look to become the first Rambler selected in the NBA Draft since both Andre Moore and Bernard Jackson were chosen in 1987.
Loyola returns all but one player from last year’s team, which won 19 games and finished tied for third place in the Horizon League.
COREY MIGGINS