The All-Jesuit Team

You don’t have to scroll far down the list of NBA legends to find a Jesuit-educated starting five. 

Bob Cousy. Bill Russell. Elgin Baylor. Patrick Ewing. John Stockton. 

That’s College of the Holy Cross, University of San Francisco, Seattle University, Georgetown University, and Gonzaga University, for anyone keeping track. And yes, we know we put two centers in the lineup. Legends are legends. 

The decades-old tradition of hoopers transitioning from Jesuit schools to the NBA, and increasingly to the WNBA, shows no signs of slowing, which is why this year we present the “All-Jesuit Team,” a collection of 10 recently drafted and free-agent players from 2020 and 2021. We’d love to see them square off in a full-court scrimmage. 

We’re talking about Santi Aldama of Loyola University Maryland (Memphis Grizzlies); Lauren Manis of the College of the Holy Cross (Las Vegas Aces); Jericho Sims of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School-Twin Cities (New York Knicks); Cassius Winston of the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy (Washington Wizards); Malachi Flynn of Bellarmine Preparatory School in Tacoma, Washington (Toronto Raptors); the Creighton University duo of Jaylyn Agnew (Washington Mystics) and Marcus Zegarowski (Brooklyn Nets); and the Gonzaga University trio of Joël Ayayi (Los Angeles Lakers), Corey Kispert (Washington Wizards), and Jalen Suggs (Orlando Magic), who played in the championship game of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. 

“I think what happens at Gonzaga, and probably every Jesuit school, is we try to give young men and women, whether they’re student athletes or not, more than just a normal education—more than just knowledge of math or English,” says Gonzaga’s recently retired athletic director, Mike Roth. “It’s caring for others, and we always emphasize that. We want them to know there’s more to it than making baskets and making great grades. There’s this aspect where you can make a difference. I think that’s what sets Jesuit schools apart.” 

Nonetheless, the athletic ability has to be there, especially at the Jesuit schools that compete at the very highest level. The 2021 NCAA Tournament saw four men’s teams qualify—Gonzaga, Creighton, Loyola University Chicago, and Georgetown—with all but Georgetown reaching the Sweet 16, and Gonzaga playing in the championship game. On the women’s side, both Marquette University and Gonzaga qualified for the tournament. 

Jaylyn Agnew was gone by then, but she is fondly remembered at Creighton, as much for her talent as her personality. 

“When I first met Jaylyn, I was so impressed by her mature attitude, attention to detail, work ethic, and willingness to do many of the things that often go unnoticed but are necessary in order to be successful,” says Bruce Rasmussen, Creighton’s recently retired athletic director and head coach of the women’s basketball team from 1980 to 1992. “She is humble, sincere, she honors others above herself, and she lives life with great enthusiasm, in harmony with others. In my 41 years at Creighton University, Jaylyn is one of my favorite people.” 

Deanna Howes Spiro is vice president of communications for the Washington, D.C.- based Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, which includes a program called the Jesuit Basketball Spotlight. “We are very proud that Jesuit colleges and universities are able to contribute toward the formation of the whole person in many ways, including through basketball,” she says. “Our schools foster men’s and women’s teams that are committed to cura personalis, care for the person, both on and off the court.” 

Though Jericho Sims made it to the 2021 NCAA tournament, it wasn’t with a Jesuit team. He played college ball for the University of Texas, but when he was drafted 58th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, he set two Jesuit records. He became the first NBA player from the national Cristo Rey network, and the first professional athlete from his Cristo Rey high school in the Twin Cities. 

Robert Carpentier, the activities director there, recalls a weekend day when he had to stop at school to get some work done. He brought along his then-6-year-old daughter, and by chance, Sims was there, too, shooting baskets in the gym. They walked over to him to say hello and when the little girl looked up at the 6-foot-10-inch Sims, she blurted out, “Why are you so tall?” 

Sims smiled and engaged with her. Carpentier asked if he could leave her with him for a half hour while he did his work. Sims smiled again and nodded. When Carpentier returned, the two of them were shooting baskets and talking. Sims even lifted her so she could shoot at the regulation 10-foot hoop. 

Carpentier later asked his daughter what the two of them had talked about. She said he asked about her favorite color, story, and cartoon character, among other things. “Basically nothing about basketball,” Carpentier says. “That’s the kind of young man he is. And here’s the kicker. I don’t speak to Jericho as much as Coach [Stanley] Clay or President [Jeb] Myers, but when I do, the first thing Jericho says is, ‘How is Gianna?’” 

Stories like that seem to be interchangeable among Jesuit hoopers. The places and details change, but the essence remains. “That’s one of the advantages of going out and recruiting not just great athletes, but also great students who are also great people,” says Roth, of Gonzaga. 

No doubt the NBA and WNBA appreciate those kinds of players, too.