CHICAGO – Loyola Chicago women's basketball head coach Morgan Paige is excited to announce the signing of four new Ramblers to the 2027-28 roster. The latest signing class consists of four freshmen from the Midwest region.
"The class of 2027 was our first opportunity in the high school space to make our mark on the direction of our program. We targeted size, athleticism, versatility, and most importantly, winning and competitive mindsets," said Paige. "Across this class, we have been so fortunate to find the fit of high-level basketball players that are also first-class young women of the court. Each will impact our campus community and the classroom as they are committed to building history here at Loyola Chicago. We cannot wait to welcome them to our Rambler family!"
Kareena Agrawal | 5-6 | Guard | Columbus, Ohio | Olentangy High School
Kareena Agrawal brings dynamic backcourt leadership to the Ramblers after a stellar prep career at Olentangy High in Ohio. The 5-foot-6 guard was named First Team All-District and First Team All-OCC as a junior after earning honorable mention honors as a sophomore, helping guide Olentangy to back-to-back regional semifinal victories. Competing on the circuit for Legends U under head coach Bryce McKey, Agrawal helped lead her squad to the P24 16U Championship. A National Honor Society member, she plans to pursue a degree in Health Administration at Loyola.
Paige on Agrawal: "Kareena is a combo guard who can truly feel comfortable running the offense or moving to an off-ball position where she can showcase her ability to score at all three levels. As a high IQ decision maker, she is a winner on all teams she's been a part of. Kareena knows what it takes to sustain winning. Her fiery competitive confidence on both sides of the ball will be a delight for Rambler fans next fall!"
Payton DuVall | 6-2 | Forward | Indianapolis, Ind. | Franklin Central High School
Adding versatility and length to the frontcourt, 6-foot-2 forward Payton DuVall joins the Ramblers from Franklin Central High in Indianapolis. DuVall earned back-to-back MCCGSA All-County and Hoosier Crossroads Conference (HCC) All-Conference honors, along with three Top-100 Showcase selections and was named a Junior All-Star and Freshmen Futures All-Star. Playing under head coach Natalie Morse for IGB, she emerged as a GUAA standout on the circuit. Off the court, DuVall earned the highest team GPA alongside multi-year academic honors and plans to study Accounting at Loyola's prestigious Quinlan School of Business.
Paige on DuVall: "Payton is a physical forward that will be able to impact in the paint immediately upon arrival to campus. She loves to rebound, something we desperately targeted as we took over this program. Her willingness to play through contact and toughness to defend will set her up for contribution early in her career. Payton's athleticism to change ends, guard multiple positions, and play inside and out are reasons she's a perfect fit for the Ramblers."
Pressley Watkins | 6-0 | Guard | Orono, Minn. | Benilde-St. Margaret's
Pressley Watkins comes to Chicago as a proven winner and nationally ranked top-75 recruit out of Benilde-St. Margaret's in Minnesota. The 6-foot guard scored over 1,000 career points while leading her high school team as a two-time captain and securing three state championships. A two-time all-conference selection, all-conference defensive team honoree, and all-state honorable mention, Watkins also competed at the club level with the Wisconsin Lakers under head coach Mike Ellis. Her club highlights include 16U Best Three-Point Shooter on the UAA circuit, a 15U UAA Finals appearance, and four Minnesota AAU state titles. An Honor Roll member in high school, Watkins intends to major in Business at Quinlan.
Paige on Watkins: "Pressley is an all-around guard who has the skill set to immediately make waves at the next level. She plays on and off the ball and finds a way to score at all levels. As a multi-year state champion, Pressley understands what it takes to win, and how to lead and impact each team she has been a part of, and she brings the winning mentality we are cultivating. Her athleticism and length make her disruptive on defense. As an elite three-point shooter, she sets the rest of her game up to score using her shot. We can't wait to see Pressley in Gentile Arena next fall!"
Emily Zack | 6-2 | Forward | Zionsville, Ind. | Zionsville Community High SchoolA skilled 6-foot-2 forward from Zionsville, Indiana, Emily Zack brings a strong interior presence and high basketball IQ to Rogers Park. Zack was a four-year letterwinner at Zionsville Community High, where she averaged 10.3 points per game while excelling academically as a four-year Eagle Scholar with a 4.0 GPA and a National Honor Society member. With the Indiana Basketball Club under head coach Nick Daniels, Zack posted impressive averages of 12.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. Efficient from the field at 53 percent and 77 percent from the free throw line, she notched multiple 20-plus point outings on the Adidas 3SSB circuit. She plans to major in Political Science at Loyola.
Paige on Zack: "Emily at her size and versatility is the type of athlete that finds success in the Atlantic 10. She is a true forward who can step out and shoot the 3, attack the paint from the perimeter, and play with her back to the basket. Defensively, Emily has the ability to grow into guarding multiple positions with her length. Emily is just scratching the surface of her basketball potential, and we are so excited to have her in a Rambler uniform."
