Chino Hills grad Eli Scott returning to LMU for final run
CHINO HILLS, Calif. (BVM) – The NCAA in March 2020 voted to provide winter and spring-sport athletes an additional season and an extension of their period of eligibility in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
That meant that an elite talent like Eli Scott, who led Loyola Marymount University men’s basketball in scoring the past two seasons, likely could’ve used his extra and final season of eligibility to transfer to a Power 5 school.
But Scott isn’t going anywhere.
The former starter on Chino Hills’ 2015-16 national championship team has announced that he’s returning to Loyola Marymount for the 2021-21 season.
“Over the course of four years, LMU has not only helped me become a better basketball player, but it also helped me turn from a young man to an adult,” Scott said in a Twitter post. “I can never thank Lion Nation enough for the unconditional love and support they’ve shown.”
“However, the best is yet to come.”
Scott has averaged 13.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists over four seasons with the Lions. Since breaking the school’s freshman rebounding record (225), Scott has started every game for Loyola Marymount since his sophomore year and was named an All-West Coast Conference first team honoree for the 2020-21 season.
Lions head coach Stan Johnson believes Scott’s return is a great indication of where the program is headed.
“This is a great day for Loyola Marymount University basketball,” Johnson said in a Twitter post. “Eli’s decision to return to school sends a powerful message as to where our program is headed and how committed he is in becoming the best basketball player and student-athlete possible. He instantly becomes one of the best players in the country and puts us in a position to achieve at the highest level on the court.”
Loyola Marymount will look to improve upon its 13-9 (7-5 WCC) mark from the 2020-21 season with Scott leading the way.
