SPORTS

 

DAVIDSON, N.C. – A Big Ten junior transfer, two versatile prep standouts and the second Icelandic recruit in program history comprise coach Bob McKillop‘s latest Davidson men’s basketball recruiting class.

Foster Loyer, Chris Ford, Desmond Watson and Stymir Thrastarson are joining the Wildcats for the upcoming season.

“With competitiveness and versatility, they check all the boxes of what it is to be part of the Davidson College basketball program,” said McKillop. “They have a breadth of experience as winners and have had valuable experiences under great coaches. They’ve all been in winning environments, and we expect them to be a big shot in the arm for our roster. We think we have a superb group of newcomers in our program.”

Foster Loyer                               
Jr. | G | 6-0 | 175
Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston/Michigan State

AT MICHIGAN STATE
2020-21
Served as team captain • Season was cut short due to injury • Appeared in 19 games, including seven starts • Set career-highs in points, rebounds, assists and minutes averaged • Handed out 44 assists to just 12 turnovers • Scored career-high 20 points, including six 3-pointers in season opener against Eastern Michigan (11/25) • Recorded 10 points and personal-best 7 assists in win over Oakland (12/13) • Pulled down a career-best five rebounds at Northwestern (12/20).

2019-20
Appeared in all 31 games, earning one start • First career start came against Western Michigan (12/29) • Scored in double figures three times • Set season-high marks in minutes played (21) and points (16) against Western Michigan, handing out six assists and grabbing three rebounds in the process • Scored 13 points against Eastern Michigan (12/21) • Set Big Ten career bests in minutes played (16), points (12) and 3-pointers made (4) and attempted (6) against Northwestern (1/29).

2018-19
Appeared in 36 games • Scored his first collegiate points with a basket against Kansas (11/6) in the Champions Classic • Scored in double figures twice • Tallied 10 points in seven minutes during a win over Green Bay (12/16) • Had a breakout game against Ohio State in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Tournament (3/15), hitting 5-of-7 shots from the floor, including 4-of-5 from 3-point land, to score 14 points in 18 minutes.

HIGH SCHOOL
A four-time All-American and four-time Academic All-American • Recipient of the Michigan Hal Schram Mr. Basketball Award as a senior • 2018 Detroit Free Press and Detroit News Dream Team member • 2018 MLive Detroit Player of the Year • 2018 Associated Press Class A All-State First Team selection  • Detroit News All-North selection • Finished his career 12th in the state in scoring (2,222 points), 10th in assists (575), seventh in 3-point field goals (258), second in free throws made (611) and second in free throw percentage (90.0%, 611-of-679) • Helped lead Clarkston to two state championship titles • 2017 Detroit Free Press and Detroit News Dream Team member • 2017 MLive Detroit Player of the Year • 2017 Associated Press Class A All-State First Team selection • Detroit News All-North selection • 2017 MaxPreps Junior All-American First-Team honoree and Fourth Team All-American • 2016 Detroit Free Press and Detroit News Class A First Team honoree • 2015 Detroit News Class A All-State First Team and Detroit Free Press Third Team selection.

PERSONAL
Born on June 24, 1999 in Cincinnati, Ohio • The son of John and Katie Loyer • Has a younger brother, Fletcher, and a younger sister, Jersey • His father played basketball at the University of Akron, was a long-time NBA assistant coach and is the Director of Pro Scouting for the Los Angeles Clippers • His mother played volleyball at Indiana.

Desmond Watson       
Fr. | G/F | 6-5 | 200                       
Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales

HIGH SCHOOL
A two-time all-state selection • Named 2021 Central District Player of the Year • Selected first-team all-district following senior campaign • Tabbed 2021 Dispatch’s All-Metro Player of the Year • Also voted to Dispatch’s All-Metro first team • Averaged 24.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists as a senior • Led DeSales to the Division II State title game • Finished as the Stallions’ all-time leading scorer with 1,722 career points.

PERSONAL
Born on June 15, 2003 • Son of Daryl and Kimberly Watson.

Chris Ford                                   
Fr. | F | 6-5 | 200                           
Huntersville, N.C./North Mecklenburg

HIGH SCHOOL
A four-time all-conference selection at nearby North Mecklenburg High School • Voted 2021 District 9 Player of the Year • Helped the Vikings to the 2020 North Carolina title • Earned multiple all-tournament nods • Averaged 19.6 points and 9.6 rebounds as a senior • Finished his standout career with over 1,000 career points.

PERSONAL
Full name is Christopher Preston Ford • Born on January 28, 2003 • Son of Wilson and Shawna Ford •  Has one sibling, Chandler.

Stymir Thrastarson                     
Fr. | G/F | 6-7 | 200
Reykjavik, Iceland/Sudurland College

INTERNATIONAL CAREER
Selected to Icelandic Senior National Team in February • Second Icelandic (Jon Axel Gudmundsson) born player to sign with Wildcats in program history • Started senior team career with Þór Þorlákshöfn, leading them to two Icelandic Super Cups • Averaged 14.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season for Þór • Helped Þór win the National Championship for the first time in 2021 • Named the 2021 Úrvalsdeild Young Player of the Year and to the Úrvalsdeild Domestic All-First Team.

PERSONAL
Full name is Styrmir Snaer Thrastarson • Born on August 2, 2001 • Son of Throstur and Bjork Thrastarson •  Has two siblings, Tomas and Thordis.