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Notre Dame Basketball: What You Need To Know About John Mooney

By Chase Eyrich

Mar 22, 2015; Notre Dame, IN, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish logo on a chair before the game against the DePaul Blue Demons at Edmund P. Joyce Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2015; Notre Dame, IN, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish logo on a chair before the game against the DePaul Blue Demons at Edmund P. Joyce Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Once committed to Florida and now signed with Notre Dame, John Mooney looks to make an impact

Mooney was the second player to commit to Notre Dame’s 2016 recruiting class. The 6’9” 240 lbs recruit first committed to Florida his sophomore year but later uncommitted and signed with the Irish back in November.

So what does Mooney bring to the Irish?

First and foremost he is a great defender at the high school level and I expect that to improve, considering the system he is entering at Notre Dame. Mooney is very solid fundamentally and is great at tracking down blocks, some of them just as terrifying as Zack Auguste’s. At 6’9” it’s hard to tell if he really is that is one of his skills or if his height helped him become a high school bully on the court. Unfortunately this is harder to detect because Mooney hasn’t played AAU where the competition is considerably better.

Mooney is listed as a power forward, but his game may make you wonder how he would do as a wing or maybe even a two-guard. Cutting to the basket is where he looks to be most comfortable, so he sets up from the perimeter no matter what, and he likes to be behind the perimeter! If he’s open, he has all the confidence in the world to shoot it.

Mooney clearly can do some serious work behind the arc. His shot is extremely impressive. Again at 6’9” most people can’t reach the top of his shot, which by the way is very high arching. The kid could probably shoot through the rafters and watch it go in. It’s hard for me not to compliment his shot by comparing it to V.J. Beachem, but he isn’t at that point yet. Plus there is one thing that does concern me, he has a smooth stroke all the way to the top, but his release almost appears delayed. I only say “appears” here because he releases at the top of his shot, but I feel like he gets there too fast and holds at the top for a slight moment. Either way it’s a smooth shot and he will have the best to learn from alongside Beachem.

Mooney shows that he is great at tracking down boards or getting a quick put back. Knowing how to put himself in the right position, and really shows that he’s willing to do some of the dirty work.

Overall I think Mooney is a great pick up for Mike Brey and the Irish. As far as initial impact as a freshman, I think he will be put in for height and defensive situations, but not much more. He has potential and has the chance to be a very solid player, but I think he would be more likely to be V.J. Beachem’s replacement after next season.

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