Notre Dame Basketball: Former Irish Players Find Success In The NBA

The Notre Dame basketball team’s recent success has produced some NBA talent. We’ll break down some of their early season success in 2017.

Ever since Mike Brey joined Notre Dame in the 2000-2001 season, the Irish have seen a lot of success. Brey has accumulated 13 seasons of 20 or more wins. Not to mention the Irish have found themselves ranked in all but two of those seasons.

More from Notre Dame Men's Basketball

Recently, that success has produced two Elite-Eight appearances and two ACC Conference Tournament Title game appearances.

Mike Brey has been most recently accredited with his ability to produce NBA ready players.

Demetrius Jackson

The local product out of Marian Highschool in Mishawaka, IN was considered one of Brey’s biggest recruits. And Jackson proved everyone right, progressively getting better each season. In his junior year at Notre Dame, Jackson averaged 17.3 points per game and 4.7 assists per game. D.J. then elected to forgo his senior season and enter the NBA draft.

Jackson was drafted by the Boston Celtics in the 2nd round as the 15th pick, 45th overall. Sitting behind Isaiah Thomas, Jackson didn’t get much playing time. Only 3.4 minutes per game in just 5 appearances.

In the offseason, he was traded to the Houston Rockets. With already three appearances in just four games, Jackson has already seen more playing time with Houston then he has in his entire NBA career. The 6’1″ point guard is looking to secure his role in the league this year.

Jerian Grant

Similar to Jackson’s story, Jerian Grant also found a lot of success during his time at Notre Dame. Starting all but two games in his four years with the Irish, Grant produced the most points in the ACC and 2nd most in the NCAA in 2014-2015.

He was drafted by the New York Knicks in the first round with the 19th pick. Grant was also traded after his first season in the NBA. The Chicago Bulls have had Grant’s rights since. Playing in 63 games last year, Grant made himself known starting in 28 of them.

This season, Grants role has increased to a new level. He has started all three game at point guard. Averaging 31 minutes a game this season and 10.7 PPG, Grant is seeing action that he hasn’t before in the Leauge. The Bulls haven’t found much success if any in their first few games, but Grant like Jackson, is making a place for himself.

Pat Connaughton

Connaughton only played in half of the games in the last two seasons. He started this year off with a bang. After being drafted by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2nd round with the 11 pick, 41st overall, Connaughton was traded to Portland before his career ever started.

Could this be his break out year? In the first game of the season against the Phoenix Suns, Connaughton posted 24 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Most recently, he had eight points and six rebounds against the New Orleans Pelicans. Connaughton has been providing big performances for the Trail Blazers. His days of playing baseball will probably be coming to an end, or at least put on hold, while he continues to progress with Portland.

Next: 30 Things All Notre Dame Fans Should Do Before They Die

Three recent cases where Notre Dame is making some noise in the NBA.