December 19 was “Jewell Loyd Day” in Lincolnwood, so proclaimed by the Lincolnwood Village Board at its Dec. 17 meeting. The village was paying tribute to the standout WNBA basketball player, Olympic gold medalist, local homegirl and Niles Wiles High School alumna.
“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.
“It’s fitting that in 2024 we’re doing this. Your [jersey] number is 24, and this is the year that you have been plastered all over this city and spreading the Lincolnwood pride,” mayor Jesal Patel said, naming a few places – including near Wrigley Field – where images of the WNBA standout are posted. “You are our ‘jewel’ … we’re so proud to have you as part of our community.”
Patel read the proclamation aloud in its entirety. It gave a nutshell recall of Loyd’s stellar achievements and accolades, including being part of the Niles West High School girls basketball team.
In her remarks, Loyd said she was grateful for the “Jewell Loyd Day honor” and said the proclamation would be placed “right next to my gold medals.”
She also expressed pride in her hometown, saying she carries it wherever she goes.
“I do my best to represent Lincolnwood. I always tell my friends that without [the community], I would not be here; everyone helped raise me,” she said, noting how she got neighbors’ help growing up to do such things as fix her bicycle and buy ice cream.
She said, “This community is part of who I am. Everything I do, it’s always remembering where I came from.”
Loyd 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. She 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.
“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.
The star basketball player said her community service and Lincolnwood pride will continue. And, as proud as her hometown is of Loyd, she has just as much love.
“When they announce where I’m from, I don’t say I’m from Niles West. I don’t say I’m from Notre Dame. I say I’m from Lincolnwood. I want everyone to know where I’m from and what we represent,” said Loyd.
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