Slap the Sign
Fansided

Notre Dame basketball: Blake Wesley could be ‘one-and-done’

By Brad Weiss

Jan 5, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Blake Wesley (0) goes up for a shot as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Armando Bacot (5) defends in the second half at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Blake Wesley (0) goes up for a shot as North Carolina Tar Heels forward Armando Bacot (5) defends in the second half at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Notre Dame basketball team has a star in guard Blake Wesley, a true freshman who could be a ‘one-and-done’ player for the Irish.

Last month, Mike Brey decided it was time for the Notre Dame basketball team to insert true freshman Blake Wesley into the starting lineup. In that game, the Irish came away with an upset victory over Kentucky, as Wesley hit the game-winning shot with 0:12 seconds left in the game.

That began a strong run for Wesley, one that has seen him lead the Irish to five wins in their last six games, and begin to make a strong case for the NCAA Tournament. Wesley’s scoring prowess has been on display for most of the season, as he has scored 200 points through the first 14 games of his career, and has scored in double figures in each of the last 11 games.

Not only has Wesley made the Irish a player in the ACC, but the national media is starting to take notice of the South Bend native, and he is currently a legitimate draft prospect for the 2022 NBA Draft.

Notre Dame basketball star rocketing up draft charts

As Wesley has burst onto the scene for Notre Dame basketball, showing incredible scoring prowess and the willingness to give his all on the defensive side of the ball, he is showing that he could be ready for the next level. He has excellent size and athleticism to be a solid two-guard in the NBA, and his chance to make it to the league could come sooner than later.

In his recent draft board for Sports Illustrated, Jeremy Woo had the Irish guard as the No. 54 ranked prospect in the 2022 NBA Draft, way up from being unranked the last time his chart was released. That is incredible praise for Wesley, who has become a star for the Irish and could lead this program to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in quite some time.

For Wesley, the task is right in front of him, and that is to help the Irish to the Big Dance, and possibly continue to inch up the draft boards. Notre Dame basketball is not known for producing ‘one-and-done’ talent, but Wesley is different, and that has been apparent since he first stepped on the court for the Irish.