It was “Jewell Loyd Day” in Lincolnwood Wednesday as the Village Board paid tribute to the standout WNBA basketball player, Olympic gold medalist, local homegirl and Niles Wiles High School alumnae.
“Jewell Loyd serves as a role model for hard work, determination, and community service, embodying the spirit of Lincolnwood,” reads the proclamation approved by the board and presented to the Seattle Storm guard at the board meeting.
The proclamation offers a summary of Loyd’s, 31, career successes, including on the Niles West girls basketball team where she was a starter beginning her freshman year and garnered All-Conference honors.
She attended the University of Notre Dame on scholarship and there, led her team to multiple NCAA tournament appearances – including successive championship play, was twice named All-American and, in her last year, was named ESPN’s women’s basketball player of the year, the Lincolnwood proclamation states.
Loyd was the first overall WNBA draft pick in 2015, picked up by the Seattle Storm. She has played there since.
“During her time in the league, she has led Championship teams twice and earned multiple individual accolades such as Rookie of the Year, All-Star selections, and All-WNBA Team honors, contributing to her team’s success and inspiring countless young athletes, particularly girls, to pursue their dreams in sports,” the proclamation states.
The 5’10 guard was chosen to represent Team USA in the 2020 and 2024 Olympic summer games, winning gold medals each time.
Loyd’s run with the Storm became uncertain earlier this month after she requested a trade. Loyd had filed a complaint against the team, alleging player mistreatment and bullying by the coaching staff, according to published media reports.
In a statement to a Seattle media outlet, Storm team leadership said that, following an investigation, no violations were found as Loyd had complained.
It was a full room at the Lincolnwood Village Board meeting Wednesday night. Village President Jesal Patel presented the proclamation.
“Beyond her athletic achievements, Jewell Loyd has remained committed to giving back to the community through various initiatives, including youth mentorship programs, basketball clinics, and advocacy for women in sports,” the proclamation reads.
