Notre Dame Hoops Expecting Two NLIs As Early Signing Period Opens

On Wednesday, the Notre Dame men’s basketball team is expected to welcome two – at least two – new members to the family as the Early Signing Period opens.

The Irish currently have commits from a pair of power forwards in Pennsylvania’s Elijah Taylor and New Jersey’s Matt Zona, who each offered their pledges to Notre Dame back in September.

Notre Dame is still pursuing another big man, five-star Maryland center Hunter Dickinson, but not only do few – if any – people know where Dickinson will end up, nobody outside his inner circle seems to even know when he’ll announce. He’s also strongly considering Michigan and Duke.

Whatever happens with Dickinson, the Irish are excited about adding the 6-foot-8, 230-pound Taylor and the 6-foot-9, 240-pound Zona.

Taylor hails from Philadelphia’s Imhotep Institute Charter High School and chose Notre Dame over offers from schools like Pittsburgh, Florida, Seton Hall and VCU among others.

“Elijah Taylor is a physical, hard-nosed power forward who has been a winner since he stepped foot at Imhotep,” said a source with in-depth knowledge of the situation. “He is an excellent rebounder and terrific defender.  

“Has made a lot of strides offensively in the past year with his footwork in the post and ability to stretch the defense to 15 feet. Elijah has one of the best motors of any prospects in the 2020 class.”

Zona, from Bergen Catholic High School, picked Notre Dame over offers from schools like Penn State, St. John’s, Vanderbilt, St. Joseph’s and Harvard among others.

“Matt Zona is a highly-skilled Big who has great range from deep including the new college 3-point line,” the source said. “Knows how to play and has the ability to find open guys.  Very good physical defender and will compete on the glass.  

“Matt is a proven winner in his time at Bergen Catholic and his best basketball is ahead of him.”