Matt Zona Certainly Fits The Notre Dame Profile

Fit. Toughness. Understanding of the game. Ability to shoot the ball.

When it comes to Notre Dame basketball prospects, the Irish aren’t going to chase many who don’t check at least three of those boxes.

When it comes to Matt Zona, the 2020 New Jersey power forward/center who announced his commitment to Notre Dame on Monday night, he checks all four, according to multiple sources.

One source close to the program noted how well Zona will fit with 2020 Philadelphia power forward Elijah Taylor, who committed to the Irish a couple weeks ago.

“Brings an edge and toughness,” the source said of Zona. “Has a tremendous basketball IQ, easy to play with others and can really space the floor and shoot it. He and Elijah are great complements of each other.

“Excited to see how well they fit”

A separate well-placed source said the Bergen Catholic High School standout has a “super family and love him as a person.”

“Tough kid, great high school program,” the source said. “Really can shoot it, stretch guy. Below the rim guy, more of a position defender.”

We also reached out to Division-I head basketball coach at a different school who was involved with Zona’s recruitment earlier in the process for his thoughts.

“Love the fit,” this coach said. “Skilled, tough and high IQ. Seems to me like a classic Notre Dame four-year player who helps them win when he’s a junior and senior.”

This coach half-joked that he’s just glad Zona didn’t end up on another team in his own league.

“Not ever going to be the most athletic or fastest guy, but think he’ll make up for it with his IQ, skill, toughness. Passes, shoots it, can handle. Really well-coached coming from Bergen Catholic.”