NEW HAVEN, Conn. – James Jones, the Joel E. Smilow '54 Head Coach of Men's Basketball, will welcome five first years to the program this fall. Alvin Loving, Daniel Ogunyemi, Jack Sullivan, Jacob Tsai, and Courtney Wallace all bring strong credentials on and off the court.
"We have a great group of first years joining our program this upcoming season," said Jones. "Each player has a great deal of potential and will have an opportunity to impact our team in 2025-26."
The five join a team coming off a historic 2024-25 season. The Bulldogs posted a 22-8 overall record, and a remarkable 13-1 mark in Ivy League play. Yale had a perfect 11-0 record at home and clinched its fourth NCAA Tournament berth in five years after a win over Cornell in the Ivy Madness Championship game.
Alvin Loving
Guard
6-4 | 215
Berkeley, Calif.
Salesian College Prep - Richmond
Before Yale: Four-year letterwinner at Salesian College Prep…Over 1,000 career points scored…Ninth all-time in scoring, over 400 rebounds as a guard…Four-time All-League, All-North Coast Section, All-Bay Area, and All-State Third Team honoree – Cal Hi Sports…Team was three-time league Champions, two-time Section Champions, Northern California Regional Champion, and California Open Division State Runner-Up.
Personal: Son of Alvin Loving III and Sandra Loving… Youngest of four children…Is a youth volunteer and coach as well as camp counselor.
Why Yale? "I chose Yale for the mixture of academic and athletic excellence. I also chose it because of how the community really seems to be like a family who wants everyone to succeed, and I think that's a great foundation for my future."
Jones on Loving: "Alvin is a big strong guard with great court vision and outside shooting. He also rebounds and defends his position well."
Daniel Ogunyemi
Forward
6-7 | 235
Milton, Ga.
Milton High School
Before Yale: Bass Pro Tournament of Champions Second All-Time leading rebounder…Four-time All-Region and two-time All-State honoree…Region Player of the Year and Region Defensive Player of the Year…Three-time Region Champion (two at Valor Christian, one at Milton)…Two-time State Champion (Valor Christian).
Personal: Son of Toksy and Taiwo Ogunyemi…Has two little brothers who also play basketball.
Why Yale? "The endless number of opportunities both academically, socially, and athletically. Yale is the epitome of excellence in many fields. That along with the immediate family-like hospitality that was extended to my family immediately upon stepping on campus."
Jones on Ogunyemi: "Daniel is an all-around forward with a great motor; he also possesses great hands and feet. He can score in multiple ways and will add depth to our front court."
Jack Sullivan
Forward
6-11 | 230
Saint Augustine, Fla.
Choate Rosemary Hall
Before Yale: Four-year letter winner…First Team All St. John's County (2024), FABC All-Star (2024), Second Team All Founders League (2025)…Class A Honorable Mention…Founders League Champions at Choate (2025).
Personal: Son of John and Carole Sullivan…Dad played lacrosse at Cornell from 1992-1996…Likes to go surfing outside of basketball.
Why Yale? "The perfect fit of challenging academics and high athletics."
Jones on Sullivan: "Jack has great hands and size with the ability to stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting ability. We will look for him to protect the rim and rebound his position."
Jacob Tsai
Guard
5-11 | 165
San Diego, Calif.
The Bishop's School
Before Yale: Four-year letterwinner at The Bishop's School…Recipient of the Head of School Award and Cindy Groenendyke Sportsmanship Cup…Tallied 700 points, 150 assists and 164 rebounds for his high school career…Was 41% from 3-point range his senior year…All-Coastal League Honoree…Three-time Crème of the County invitee (San Diego County All-Star Game)…Led team to CIF semifinal as a senior.
Personal: Son of Clara Wu and Joe Tsai…Brother Dash plays for the Hong Kong National Lacrosse Team…Sister Alex played lacrosse at Stanford…Dad played lacrosse at Yale…Enjoys cooking and golfing.
Why Yale? "I chose Yale because of its world-class economics and psychology departments—two areas I plan to pursue. Growing up in a household of Yale Athletics fans, it has always been a dream to play for the Bulldogs."
Jones on Tsai: "Jacob is a tough gritty hard working combo guard who plays with a great deal of energy."
Courtney Wallace
Guard
6-2 | 195
Pittsburgh, Pa.
The Neighborhood Academy
Before Yale: Two-time letterwinner who made an immediate impact since a freshman, and ending his high school career averaging a 23-point triple double as a Senior…Two-time All-State selection, and two-time First Team All-Conference honoree…Two-time Player of the Year…Garnered Consensus Player of the Year honors…Won a State Championship with The Neighborhood Academy and was Section and WPIAL/Regional Champions.
Personal: Outside of basketball, he is actively involved in community service, particularly volunteering at a food bank and a women's shelter.
Why Yale? "I had a great connection with the coaches right away and saw myself in the players."
Jones on Wallace: "Courtney is a tremendously athletic guard who is powerful and has a great ability to score the ball at all three levels. He has outstanding defensive instincts that will potentially make him an outstanding two-way player."
