Clayton Custer

Classroom

Clayton Custer has been a model student-athlete and is already pursuing his master’s degree in business administration in Loyola’s prestigious five-year MBA program after earning his undergraduate degree in finance in May. A 2018 CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, he has been a two-time Division I-AAA Scholar-Athlete Team honoree as well as a Missouri Valley Conference First Team Scholar-Athlete Team selection. Custer has been named an MVC Scholar-Athlete seven times in his career, and he owns a 3.52 grade-point average.

Character

A well-rounded, unselfish player, Custer has been described by Head Coach Porter Moser as the type of guy you would want your daughter to date. In June, along with teammate Ben Richardson, he was honored as the Kansas City Sports Commission Co-Sportsmen of the Year. A steadying presence both on and off the floor, Custer is a role model not only to young Rambler fans, but also to his teammates in the way he conducts himself in all facets of life.

Community

In 2017-18, Custer was the recipient of the State Farm Good Neighbor Award for demonstrating good citizenship through sportsmanship and significant community service. Custer volunteers at Misercordia Heart of Mercy, a center that provides care and support for individuals with developmental and physical disabilities.

Competition

In just two seasons at Loyola Chicago, Custer has made an indelible impact, helping the Ramblers to 50 wins, including the program’s first Final Four appearance since 1963 last season. A year ago, the point guard became the first Loyola player to be named a conference’s player of the year when he secured MVC Player of the Year honors after averaging 13.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals per contest, while shooting 53 percent from the field and 45 percent from three-point range. An Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America selection in 2017-18 Custer was also named Lou Henson Mid-Major Player of the Year by CollegeInsider.com, National Jesuit Player of the Year, an NABC First Team All-District 16 selection and to the MVC Most Improved Team.

Loyola went 30-3 last season with Custer in the lineup, and he hit the game-winning shot with 3.6 seconds left to lift Loyola to a 63-62 victory over Tennessee in the NCAA Second Round in March. He dropped in 15 points in the NCAA Final Four game versus Michigan and was a NCAA South Regional All-Tournament Team selection.