Blue and Gold Illustrated

Sept. 17, 2018

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com SEPT. 17, 2018 47 MEN'S BASKETBALL RECRUITING BY COREY BODDEN I n August, the NCAA passed new legislation allowing high school prospects in men's bas- ketball to begin taking of- ficial visits Aug. 1 before their junior year in school. The changes also al- low up to 15 official vis- its compared to five pre- viously. Prospects can take five from Aug. 1 to the end of their junior year, five after their ju- nior year to Oct. 15 fol- lowing their high school graduation, and five from then through their college eligibility. Notre Dame took ad- vantage on their first opportunity, welcom- ing Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic 2020 center Hunter Dickinson to South Bend during Labor Day weekend. "My experience at Notre Dame was great," Dickinson told Blue & Gold Il- lustrated. "Everything was top class, and everyone was really nice. My favorite part of the trip was hanging out with the team. They were all cool and welcoming. "I had visited Notre Dame before, so I knew a lot already. The trip was mostly for my parents, who learned a lot from the visit." The 7-1, 220-pounder has been on the target board since the summer of 2016 when he picked up an offer before the start of his freshman year. His official visit was his second trip to South Bend after taking in the USC football game in 2017. The five-star prospect is intrigued by the life after basketball aspect Notre Dame can provide. "I really like how when you gradu- ate there is a whole network of peo- ple who would hire you in a second because you graduated from Notre Dame," he explained. Dickinson has built a good relationship with the Irish staff throughout the process and enjoyed the opportunity to spend more time with them in person. "Their message was that I can play right away in the ACC and get a world-class educa- tion," Dickinson said. "My parents and I really liked the coaching staff." Although he was un- able to play in the pickup game on that Saturday, he still connected with sev- eral members of the Irish roster, including a former teammate in sophomore wing D.J. Harvey. " I t o o k t h e e n t i re month off [after summer AAU ball], so I really wasn't in shape to play," Dickinson said. "I was mostly around the five freshmen and D.J. I really liked all of them. They were really welcoming and friendly." Notre Dame made a strong impres- sion on the talented big man. "The visit increased my interest," Dickinson stated. "They are among my top schools at the moment." Along with the Irish, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Iowa, Mary- land, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, USC, Virginia and Wake Forest are among those that have offered. He was scheduled to visit Pittsburgh during Sept. 8. Dickinson plans to make a decision by this time next year, but noted that could change. "Mostly the coaching staff," Dick- inson said of what will factor into his commitment. "I need to feel comfort- able with them because I'm putting my future in their hands. "Then, next will be the school. Is it a college that when I'm done play- ing basketball that degree means something?" In 23 games on the Nike EYBL cir- cuit this year, Dickinson averaged 9.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game while helping Team Takeover claim the Peach Jam title. ✦ Top 2020 Target Enjoys Irish Official Visit Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha Catholic five-star 2020 big man Hunter Dickinson, the nation's No. 17 overall player per Rivals, took an official visit to Notre Dame during the Labor Day weekend. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM TWO IN-STATE 2020 PROSPECTS VISIT While much of the attention centered on Hunter Dickinson's official visit, the Irish staff also hosted two of Indiana's best in the 2020 class during the Michigan football weekend. Culver (Ind.) Academies Rivals100 shooting guard Trey Galloway made the short trip to northern Indiana to check out the Irish program. The 6-3, 180-pounder has been in contact with Notre Dame this summer and also took a visit back in late June. Although Notre Dame has yet to offer the nation's No. 81 overall player, he will be someone the staff monitors closely in the coming months. He holds offers from Michigan State, Butler, Iowa and Nebraska, among others. Galloway averaged 14.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game last season, and helped Culver Academies win their first Class AAA state title. The Irish also hosted a prospect connected to the university during the same weekend in junior guard Jaden Ivey of Mishawaka (Ind.) Marian High, the same school that produced 2013-16 Fighting Irish guard Demetrius Jackson, a second-round NBA pick after his junior season. Ivey is the son of women's basketball assistant coach Niele Ivey, the point guard for the 2001 national champs. The 6-3, 170-pounder has an early offer from Purdue, but Notre Dame has huge inroads. Ac- cording to MaxPreps, Ivey averaged 12.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per contest last season. — Corey Bodden

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