Coach | Future Bright For Notre Dame Signee Blake Wesley

Size, athleticism and ability to shoot the basketball.

That’s what Riley High School head coach Alex Daniel sees in 2021 Notre Dame signee Blake Wesley‍ and he believes the future is even brighter.

“He just does a lot of things,” says Daniel. “Given the player he is now, I think there’s no limit on his ability to grow and his potential.”

Wesley will work to reach that potential as well.

“He’s great,” his coach says. “You get a kid with that high of a talent bar, you don’t always know what you’re getting. He’s been accepting and open to coaching.

“I’ve been very pleased with his attitude. He’s a guy who can be challenged. He accepts the challenge. If you get on him, you can see the change in him. For a lot of guys, you’ll get on a guy and nothing really wavers. Blake wavers. He adjusts, he makes adjustments to what you’re saying. I’ve been really appreciative of him for that.”

Daniel sees Wesley maximizing his gifts on both ends of the court.

“He’s 6-5, really athletic,” the coach says. “He’s working hard. He’s physically demanding of the people around him. When you’re guarding him, you feel his presence when he’s driving to the basket.

“When he gets up in you, you know he’s there. He can guard multiple positions at the high school level and will be able to do that at the college level as well as he adds more strength. Those physical attributes separate him along with his work ethic.”

In addition to being the hometown school and having strong bonds with the coaching staff, Notre Dame’s style of play fits Wesley.

“I think he finds it very intriguing with the multiple positions he can play,” Daniel says. “Obviously with multiple positions, there are multiple opportunities to get on the floor. With him being able to shoot the basketball and play in space.”

Daniel notes that Wesley particularly enjoyed his EYBL experience this summer, when he had more room to operate as defenses couldn’t focus in on him as much.