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Does V.J. Beachem have an NBA Future?

By Bobby Norell

Mar 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward V.J. Beachem (3) drives against Wisconsin Badgers forward Khalil Iverson (21) during the second half in a semifinal game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward V.J. Beachem (3) drives against Wisconsin Badgers forward Khalil Iverson (21) during the second half in a semifinal game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Does Notre Dame guard V.J. Beachem have a shot at an NBA career?

The NBA Draft has come and gone, but it’s never too early to look at whats coming down the pipe for next season. Over the last two seasons Notre Dame has sent four players to the NBA. Jerian Grant, Pat Connaughton, Demetrius Jackson and Zach Auguste can all be found on NBA rosters. Can Notre Dame keep this trend going? Well that falls on the shoulders of senior guard V.J. Beachem. Beachem did throw his name into the draft this season, but ultimately decided to return to South Bend.

Coming out of high school as a four-star recruit Beachem has never really played up to expectations. He’s shown flashes of what he can do, but has yet to really put it all together. We saw some of those flashes at the end of last season as he was a key part to Notre Dame’s second straight Elite Eight run. In his last six games Beachem averaged 16.6 points a game and shot the ball better than 54% from three-point land. He even showed off some of his athleticism in the Elite Eight game against North Carolina when he rose up over Nate Britt and threw down a thunderous dunk.

This upcoming season Beachem, along with Steve Vasturia, will be Notre Dame’s go-to guy. Beachem will have more opportunities to show more than just flashes of his play. If Beachem has a nice senior season and averages 16-18 points a game, shoots 40% from and shows get can do a little more than just be a spot up shooter, he’ll get his shot at the NBA. He’ll need to show he can create for himself and show off his athleticism a little more.

He probably won’t get drafted because next year’s NBA draft is suppose to be a strong one. We saw a lot more upper classmen get drafted this season mainly because the freshman class was one of the weaker ones in recent memory. Next years draft will feature a strong freshman class, which will mean less seniors and juniors will get drafted.

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I think Beachem will get a shot at the NBA, similar to what Zach Auguste is doing right now. He’ll get a shot on a summer league team and hope to catch on an NBA roster. Beachem would probably best suited to play in the D-League or in Europe.

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