Notre Dame Basketball: Pat Connaughton to Weigh His Options Before Reporting To Orioles

Will Connaughton choose basketball over baseball?

After being selected in the fourth-round last season by the Baltimore Orioles, and getting a taste of professional baseball–

still couldn’t turn his back on his teammates at Notre Dame. He returned along with fellow senior

to guide the Irish on a memorable tourney run. So now it’s time for Connaughton to return to baseball. Right?

Maybe not.

Connaughton, who has already received his undergraduate degree, is free to report to Orioles camp whenever he’s ready. But it appears he may be considering a future in the NBA by preparing for the draft. The positive side is that the Orioles are onboard with his decision, and ask only that once he explores his options, that if he chooses baseball he moves on.

"“We’d like to have him,” Buck Showalter said. “We’re not going to pressure him, push him. We want, though, when he decides that it is done, the NBA ain’t there, then his full attention comes to baseball instead of coming right to us and then wondering. … h/t Dan Connoly, Baltimore Sun"

According to reports, Connaughton has been on a throwing program given to him by the Orioles for the last six weeks. Showalter wants him to chase after his dream, without being pressured.

"“He’s got to get this out of his system and we are going to let him do it,” Showalter said. “Once he gets here he’s got to turn the page.”"

One would think that a player–already drafted–who can throw in the mid to upper 90’s, baseball would be s sure thing. But for Connaughton, that’s not the case. He knows the talent is there for the game of baseball, but there’s also the love of basketball, and he wants to leave no stone unturned.

During the NCAA Tournament run, it was as much his leadership as his play that showed his worth. After teammate Zach Auguste double dribbled to turn the ball over to Butler, giving them a chance to knock the Irish from the tourney, it was Connaughton who could be seen consoling Auguste on the sidelines.

Not only did he help keep his teammate’s head in the game, he followed it with a game saving block to keep their hopes alive. He would later hit a clutch three-pointer in overtime to help the Irish advance to the Sweet 16, and eventually to the Elite Eight where they fell just short against Kentucky.

The Orioles are expected to meet with Connaughton this week, where he may or may not reveal his plans for the near future. The question may be how much he listens to his agent, Sam Samardzija, Jr. If the name seems familiar, it should. He’s the older brother of another Irish two-sport star–Jeff Samardzija.

Remember, Jeff chose baseball. Either way, the future is very bright for Connaughton.

Next: Who Will Step Up For The Irish Next Season?