Source | 2021 Notre Dame Commit JR Konieczny Has "Tremendous Upside"

JR Konieczny has certainly made a strong impression on those he’s been around and even though he couldn’t be quoted on the record, one of those people still wanted to share his thoughts on the 2021 Indiana guard who committed to Notre Dame last Sunday.

“He’s wiry, he’s bouncy,” the source said of Konieczny, who hails from nearby Granger, Ind. “He can shoot it, he can dribble it. He’s got all of the intangibles you’d want in a kid.

“He’s productive now, but he’s got tremendous upside, which is even more enticing to college coaches. He’ll come out and score points and be productive right now, but he’s also got the ability to get so much better too.”

This source, who has extensive experience on the high school, college and summer circuit, believes Konieczny will improve as he matures physically.

“I’ll think he’ll make strides when he gains more weight,” we were told. “That’ll help out a lot. The physicality of the ACC will definitely be different. But also, his level of consistency as he keeps working on his game and adds strength. The consistency of making those shots, making tough shots on a regular basis.

“That’s where I think he’ll really make his strides as well as getting better defensively.”

The St. Joseph High School star’s game will be a good fit just down the road, according to this source.

“Coach (Mike) Brey has always had those skilled guards who can play,” he said. “JR can play anything from a 2 to a 4. He’s very flexible. He can guard multiple positions as well, so you can use him in a variety of ways. And anyone who can shoot the ball like him, there’s always a way to contribute when you’re on the floor and can shoot like that.”

That versatility will help Konieczny and the Irish.

“You can be playing somebody different every game that has different personnel or you can try to make them play your personnel,” the source said. “If you’re playing Louisville and they’ve got all their bigger guys in there and they’re trying to beat you up down low, he can play the 2 and Notre Dame can play bigger guys to combat that.

“Or, if you’re playing somebody in the conference that’s a smaller, get-up-and-down team, JR can use his size and play the 4. That’s just the advantage it gives you; being able to match up differently with different teams.”

Off the court, Konieczny is just as impressive, according to the source.

“He’s a very nice young man, comes from a great family,” the source said. “He’s a Notre Dame fit type of kid. I think that’s what really helped him. He’s not going to have a big adjustment going to that school with the academics and social life and all of that.”

Konieczny also had offers from schools like Butler, Xavier and Iowa among others. Staying close to home was a bonus, according to this source.

“His parents can watch him play. His sister is at Valpo, so she’s close to home too so they’re able to watch her there. I definitely think he was open to going to other places and he liked places that were considerably farther away from Indiana. But at the end of the day, the fit, the school and you add the location on to it to put it over the top.”