BIG EAST ROSTER UPDATE: NOTRE DAME

May 28, 2008


Transfer ALERT: Scott Martin, 6'7 SF from Purdue


Projected 2008-2009 Roster


Seniors: Ryan Ayers (F/G), Kyle McAlarney (G), Zack Hillesland (F), Luke Zeller (BF/C)
Juniors: Luke Harangody (BF), Tory Jackson (PG), Jonathan Peoples (G), Ben Hansbrough (SG)
Sophomores: Carlton Scott (F), Tyrone Nash (F), Ty Proffitt (G), Tim Abromaitis (F), Scott Martin (SF)
Freshmen: No Commitments yet
Early 2009 Commitments: Joey Brooks (SF), Jack Cooley (BF)

Mike Brey and Notre Dame took a different route in filling their two open scholarships this spring, instead of landing any high school recruits, the Irish Net Second Transfer (FoxSports.com) as Scott Martin decides on Notre Dame as his new home after leaving Purdue. Martin joins Mississippi State transfer Ben Hansbrough as the additions to the Irish roster for the 2008-2009 season, although neither will be able to play next season due to NCAA transfer rules.

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Scott Martin played a vital role on the Purdue Boilermakers NCAA Tournament team of the 2007-2008 season. Martin averaged 8.5 points a game and nearly 4 rebounds a contest in 22 minutes a game, appearing in 32 contests for the 25-9 squad.

Martin hit 31% of his three-point attempts as a freshman and was second on the team with 78 made free throws, showing his ability to play inside and out offensively. The 6'8 wing played high school basketball at Valparaiso High School and was an AAU teammate of Irish big man Luke Harangody. After transferring from Purdue, Martin also visited Butler and Valpo, but he looks like an ideal player in Mike Brey's scheme and should step imeediately into the position vacated by Ryan Ayers in the line-up after Ayers graduates. Martin will have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out the 2008-2009 season.

Earlier this spring Notre Dame added Mississippi State transfer Ben Hansbrough, the younger bother of national Player of the Year recepient Tyler Hansbrough. The native of Poplar Bluff (MO) averaged 10.5 points a game as a sophomre, connecting on 36% of his shots from beyond the arc. Hansbrough played over 33 minutes a game in his 30 contests this past season, helping Mississippi State to the 2nd round of the NCAA Tournament. Hansbrough could be the heir to Kyle McAlarney when he graduates and will have two years of eligibility ofter sitting out the 2008-2009 season.

Notre Dame, which did not sign any high school players from the class of 2008, already has two verbal commitments from high school players from the class of 2009, including Jack Cooley.

Cooley is the heir to the throne in the post for Notre Dame that is currently occupied by Luke Harangody. Cooley is a very similar player to Harangody as he comes to work every game and thrives in a rugged game. He is well equipped for the physical play of the Big East. Cooley is a double-double machine with Glenbrook South and knows his place is in the paint.

Cooley joins Joey Brooks, who chose Notre Dame over Arizona State, Marquette, Oklahoma State, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest back in early Novemeber. He was an AAU teammate of former Irish target Steven Tchiengang who the Irish pursued until he committed to Vanderbilt. Brooks averaged 17.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game last season, his first on the varsity. He stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 205 pounds.



The 2009 class still has two scholarships available with Cooley and Brooks in the fold early. The Irish are in very good position for a strong class in 2009. Cooley's Rising Stars AAU teammate Nik Garcia, a 6'5 G/F from Niles West HS has also received attention from the Irish as has Raleigh (NC) 6'9 forward Ryan Kelly, whose stock is soaring this spring. We will continue to track Irish possibilities on the recruiting trail as the spring AAU period continues the next few weeks and we gear up for the summer push.

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