Notre Dame G Blake Wesley on the Packer and Durham Show

Notre Dame freshman guard Blake Wesley joined the Packer and Durham Show on Monday morning. 

On Saturday at Clemson:
"It was really good for us. I started off good shooting. Dane Goodwin didn't have a good first half, but he had a great second half. We just started rolling. Coach Brey told us to be ourselves and do us and we did." 

On playing on the road:
"I love playing on the road. I love shutting crowds up and playing on the road in good atmospheres. It's good playing on the road. I love playing on the road rather than being at home." 

On toughest road environment:
"The toughest environment was probably Clemson with the fans on the side. It was probably Virginia Tech and we lost. They were a good team." 

On veterans:
"It's been a blessing. I'm the youngest on the team playing with like seven other seniors. It's been good. 

"When I first got to college in the summer, it was pretty tough for me. Prentiss Hubb was right by my side the whole summer, telling me to keep working and keep being strong and to be you. Dane (Goodwin) and all the other people have been on my side telling me when to go. It's been really helpful for me." 

On recruitment during COVID:
"It was good. I'm glad they offered me in the summer of 2019 in Champagne (Ill.). It was a basketball camp. I saw Coach Brey and Coach Hump after the game and they offered me a scholarship. I was like, wow. 

"At first, I wasn't thinking about Notre Dame, but when they offered me a scholarship, I had to look into it because it was my hometown and I have family here. My grandparents are here. It's been a blessing. 

"During COVID, I didn't really get to go to any schools. I still had Zooms with Notre Dame and other schools, but I felt Notre Dame was a big part of my life because it's here in South Bend and close to my house. I love the coaches. I love Brey. I love Coach Hump, Scott (Martin), Coach (Anthony) Solomon and Coach (Antoni) Wyche). I appreciate them. I've known Coach Slo since I was young and AJ, his son." 

On surprising folks around the ACC with his big season:
"That's motivation for me. I wasn't a McDonald's All-American. I was a nominee, but I wasn't a McDonald's All-American. I wasn't ranked on ESPN. Me and my people talked about that. Rankings don't matter. All that matters is if you walk across that stage at the draft and accomplish what you need to accomplish. 

"That's my goal. That's what I want to do. All the other rankings, McDonald's All-Americans - that stuff is good, but the bigger picture is the NBA." 

On Prentiss Hubb being a mentor:
"It's been good. I love Prentiss Hubb. He's one of my best friends on the team and that I've ever played with. I love him. He guides me through everything. He tells me what's a good shot and a bad shot. He tells me to play my game. 

"I've been in a shooting slump the last four games. He told me when we played NC State to not worry about it and attack the rim and see how the game goes. I did. I had a couple of floaters and mid-range. I didn't shoot that good, but I only shot two threes. He said to keep my head up and they felt good on Saturday." 

On starting fast and finishing strong:
"Dane really showed it. Not saying he didn't start well. He started off good, but in the second half, he went crazy, which is good for me. I took a couple shots in the second half, but Dane was feeling it. Give him all the credit."