Notre Dame Basketball: V.J. Beachem Has One More NBA Draft Shot

V.J. Beachem, one of Notre Dame basketball’s best players over the last four years, is hoping to head to the NBA Draft this summer but needs one final push to assure his draft stock.

Since 2013, V.J. Beachem has made his impact known for Notre Dame. Two Elite Eight runs, an ACC Championship, and four years of contribution have marked him a Fighting Irish great. His run isn’t over, though, but what’s left of it will go a long way in his future outside of Notre Dame basketball.

Most people don’t have Beachem’s chances in the NBA to be very high. Despite his continued increase in productivity over the last four years and a strong chance to make a NCAA Tournament run for the third time in his career, most experts believe he’s nothing more than a second-round draft pick.

What Beachem’s draft stock needs is March. Not a Notre Dame run in March, which would still boost his value, but him leading the Irish towards the Final Four. Bonzie Colson and Matt Farrell have stolen the spotlight all season, which has given them plenty of recognition, but now, Beachem needs to become the star.

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NBA stars are born in March. If you compete well during the madness, you prove you can compete with best. When all eyes are on you and your team, playing in an atmosphere where anything and everything can happen, you catch the attention of NBA coaches and scouts everywhere.

This is the time to go from a second-rounder to a lottery pick. You come out firing on all cylinders for the next three weeks, and you finish the month as one of the hottest names in the draft. For Beachem, he already has the name, has produced quality numbers, has the body type, 6’8, 200 pounds, now, he just needs to shine.

Look at the past. Stephen Curry, Malachi Richardson, Jerian Grant, R.J. Hunter, and the list goes on. These are all players who would’ve been drafted, but by no means were considered a top 20 pick, some not even considered a first round selection. Beachem is in the group of players who will get drafted, but need this final push to get them into the first round.

There’s nothing more to it. If V.J. Beachem wants to continue his basketball career with a strong start at the next level, he needs to come out firing this Thursday. One final NCAA Tournament run with him leading the way and carrying this Notre Dame team.

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He could do it, and he’s shown it a few times this season. The time has come, though, and his final shot at a draft stock increase starts, now.