Skylar Diggins has certainly put the Notre Dame’s women’s basketball program on the national map, but almost as important has been the way South Bend product has raised the profile of the program in the local community. Notre Dame men’s basketball head coach is hoping he can land a player that’ll do the same for his program.
2013 Mishawaka, Ind., (Marian) guard Demetrius Jackson is already receiving a ton of interest from schools in the Midwest and recently landed an offer from Xavier. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder made a quick stop at Notre Dame last week for an unofficial visit.
“I shot around the Pit,” Jackson said. “I sat down and talked with Coach Brey a little bit and then I got to play with the players.”
Brey couldn’t stick around to watch the players play, but before he left, he brought up Diggins’ name.
“He just said it changed the community,” said Jackson. “Having someone from the community stay home and play at the University of Notre Dame would be a big change. He said they never had one on the boys’ side and that’s what they’re trying to get.”
Brey also let Jackson know that the Irish would have their eye on him.
“He was telling me they were going to come watch me in July and to continue to work hard and how it would be special to have someone stay home and play at Notre Dame,” said Jackson.
Jackson also enjoyed his opportunity to run with Division-I talent.
“It was really good,” he said. “They’re really strong and a lot more physical than what you’re used to playing. You don’t get the ball too much when you’re a recruit and not actually on the team, but you work hard, play defense. It’s just fun. “
College coaches were allowed to begin contacting 2013 prospects on the phone earlier this month and Jackson heard from Tennessee, Wake Forest, Indiana, Illinois, Western Michigan and Ohio among others. Jackson and some teammates made trips to Michigan State and Xavier with some other stops planned for the future.
“It’s been really crazy, but in a good way,” he said. “I enjoy it and I continue to feel thankful and blessed to have this opportunity to be recruited by these colleges.
“We’ve been in the car a lot, but it gives us more time to bond. Although it sucks sitting in the car for a long time, it’s fun when you arrive on campus.”
He figures to pick up at least one more offer in his travels.
“I’ve been told by Michigan that when I come up on the visit, an offer would be given to me,” said Jackson.
Jackson felt his visit to Notre Dame allowed him to get even more comfortable with his hometown school.
“Spending more time with the coaches, being able to sit down and talk with them, you get a better feel for the staff,” he said. “That’s always good.”
The recruiting calendar allows high school basketball players to sign National Letters of Intent twice during the year. Other dates to watch out for:
