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Details are still developing, but it appears based on several sources that free agent recruit Milton Doyle has chosen to stay home and play at Loyola.
The Chicago Public League forward from Marshall high school originally was headed to Florida International to begin his college career, but the firing of Isiah Thomas derailed that. Doyle then headed to Bill Self and Kansas, but part way through the exhibition season, he left the Jayhawks and headed home.
The issue appeared to be playing time for Doyle, who was one of a plethora of freshmen competing for time with the National runner-up. Doyle's mother gave no indication where he would be attending school this coming season, let along continuing his basketball career.
The speculation ended Wednesday night when several sources, including ESPN Chicago reporter Scott Powers, announced that Doyle is staying home to play for Porter Moser at Loyola Chicago.
The move was highly praised. The Chicago-area media knew the talent that Doyle has, which made his original commitment to Thomas at FIU odd. But then again, it was Isiah Thomas coaching the team.
The talent wasn't missed by Kansas coach Bill Self, who brought in Doyle after he was made a free agent after Thomas' firing. But as with many high majors, the numbers of spots on the floor is a lot fewer than the talent available on the bench.
Doyle immediately becomes an impact player in the Horizon League, especially with the departure of Butler, but there may be hurdles to clear with the NCAA according to the Chicago Tribune's Mike Helfgot:
He will enroll immediately at Loyola but may not be eligible to play this year because he took two sessions of summer school at Kansas.
"They're not sure," (Doyle's mother Lisa) Green said. "They are going to check and see what the NCAA says."
The move has already been praised by ESPN recruiting analyst Reggie Rankin:
Milton Doyle gives the Ramblers a local kid that brings toughness in addition to scoring and versatility. Capable defender. Good System Fit!
— Reggie Rankin (@ReggieRankin) August 30, 2012
Add in the wealth of talent from the Chicago area playing in the Horizon League and you have some excellent games coming in the near future. This wasn't lost on the League's Bill Potter:
Green Bay-Loyola games are going to be a ton of fun in next few years, given relationships of Keifer Sykes, Alfonzo McKinnie & Milton Doyle.
— Bill Potter (@billpotter_HL) August 30, 2012
Loyola is a program on the rise in the conference, and it looks like Moser has nabbed a strong building block to help that process.