Gibler Signs Contract to Play in German League

CHICAGO -- Former Loyola University Chicago men’s basketball standout Walt Gibler (Cincinnati,Ohio/St. Xavier) has signed a professional contract to play for Topstar Leitershofen in Germany.

Topstar competes in the German Pro B League and is based in Augsburg.

“I couldn’t be more excited about having an opportunity to play basketball overseas,” Gibler said. “This will be a great experience not only from a basketball perspective, but also from a cultural standpoint.

I consider myself very fortunate to be able to continue my basketball journey and I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way.”

Last season, Topstar Leitershofen posted a 15-15 regular-season record and was led by guard/forward Corey Hassan, who averaged 17.6 points per game.

Gibler, who will begin his dream of playing professionally when he heads to Germany August 19, was one of the most accomplished players in Loyola history, wrapping up his career last season before graduating in May. The 6-foot-7 forward is one of only 18 players in the storied history of Loyola basketball to have racked up over 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in his career and in 2011-12, he posted single-season career bests of 12.4 ppg and 5.8 rpg, while also chipping in 1.0 apg. He finished his career ranked 33rd on Loyola’s all-time list with 1,041 points. In2009-10, he was named Horizon League Sixth Man of the Year after putting up11.3 ppg and 5.3 rpg.

Off the court, Gibler was honored for his excellence in the classroom by earning National Association of Basketball Coaches Honors Court (2011, 2012), Horizon League Men’s Basketball All-Academic Team (2012), I-AAA Men’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete (2012) and National Jesuit Men’s Basketball All-Academic Team (2010, 2012) recognition. Earlier this summer, he became just the fifth Loyola student-athlete to earn the prestigious Cecil N. Coleman Medal of Honor from the Horizon League. Awarded annually by the League, the Coleman Medal of Honor recognizes a male and female who best exemplify the dignity and high purpose of the conference and its membership.

Gibler is the tenth Rambler since 2005 to sign a professional contract and the first since Geoff McCammon last year.