Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BASKETBALL RECRUITING shy. "Old schools" include Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Washington, Marquette, Baylor, Florida, Louisville and Xavier. New schools such as Kansas, Connecticut and Miami have also grabbed his attention recently. The Badgers, he said, have been after him the longest, and it's obvious that kind of loyalty is important to him. Washington, who visited Notre Dame on June 24, also trekked to Louisville on his swing through the Midwest. "That was the first time on Notre Dame's campus," Washington's father, Curtis, said. "It was absolutely breathtaking and every- thing a kid could want in a campus. "Over the last year or so I have been on class that is coming in. That's a big plus. "I'm in the process of making my list. I almost have nine," he added. "Before the beginning of next season I want to be com- mitted. I'll take my five official visits and make a good decision — a gut decision." The ND staff has done everything pos- sible to land its top target — local four- DEMETRIUS JACKSON WAITING ON the phone with Coach [Mike] Brey quite a bit, and the same thing with Coach [An- thony] Solomon. Of course you see them on TV every week, but a chance to put a face to the phone calls was really a treat. They are special guys, and the program speaks for itself." Washington felt Notre Dame exceeded expectations in 2011-12, which makes South Bend a stronger draw. "I like the whole underdog factor," said Washington, a relatively unknown pros- pect early in his prep career who was re- cently ranked as the No. 63 player in the country, the No. 15 power forward nation- ally and the No. 2 player in Connecticut, found motivation while being overlooked in previous years. "I like when people un- derestimate you because you can surprise them every time. "Coach Brey is a great coach; Coach Solo- mon is a great coach. I like the recruiting Four-star point guard Demetrius Jackson has been AUGUST 2012 88 ranked 82nd overall in the class of 2013 by 247Sports. PHOTO COURTESY 247SPORTS