2023 Four-Star G Parker Friedrichsen Goes In-Depth on Notre Dame Official Visit

Notre Dame offered 2023 Bixby (Okla.) combo guard Parker Friedrichsen‍ on August 8th and the Irish have put on the full-court press over the last 30 days. 

The 6-foot-4, 170-pounder embraced Notre Dame’s aggressive approach and quickly set up an official visit at the end of August to get his first look at the Irish program. 

"It was great,” Friedrichsen told ISD. “I got on campus and it was the first week of school, so the campus was live. It was good because when you take visits in the summer, it can be kind of dead. It was great to see the students and I was able to hang out with the guys a lot and the coaching staff is really cool."

For anyone that has spoken with Friedrichsen, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear he connected well with Notre Dame guard Cormac Ryan during his visit.

In fact, Friedrichsen felt Ryan was an older version of himself, but the Oklahoma native also saw a fit throughout the Notre Dame locker room. 

"They're all just good people and they care about Notre Dame and winning games,” stated Friedrichsen. “They were second in the ACC last year, so the program is excited about this year. It was good to talk to them about how I would fit in and who would be back. They are all really good people and I enjoyed talking with them."

During his research over the last month, Friedrichsen watched Notre Dame practices and games. He quickly saw the freedom of Mike Brey’s guards and Friedrichsen was able to experience that as he was able to get a few games in with the team. 

"I did play some pickup with them,” said Friedrichsen. “It was a good run. They play the right way and they make the right plays. It was good to play pickup with them." 

When it comes to the coaching staff, Brey and associate head coach Anthony Solomon had impressed the four-star prospect over the phone and Zoom, but in-person meetings allowed Friedrichsen to get a true feel for each coach. 

"They were definitely the school that has been recruiting me the least amount of time, but we have built a strong relationship,” explained Friedrichsen. “Coach Brey is a guards coach. He lets his guards just go play and that's really appealing. 

"Coach Slo - what he's about and how he believes in what I can do - we had a really good conversation. I definitely walked away surprised and excited about Notre Dame."

Friedrichsen was well-aware of Brey’s tag of being the loosest coach in America and he quickly saw why his players love him. 

"We definitely related well,” Friedrichsen said. “He's super chill. He's a winner and he lets his guys just play and have that freedom. He doesn't want you looking over your shoulder if you're coming out. I can see why he has that name because he's a very cool coach." 

Notre Dame’s practice facility impressed the Bixby star, but it didn’t necessarily surprise him as he expected the Irish program to have the best of the best. 

"It's unreal,” Friedrichsen stated. “I expected the bells and whistles to be pretty good coming from Notre Dame, but it was great. The strength coach and the weight room were awesome. The trainers and training room were great. It's a really nice facility." 

Friedrichsen took an official visit to Davidson after Notre Dame and at both places, he was able to mix it up with current NBA players. At Notre Dame, Blake Wesley was back in town and then at Davidson, Friedrichsen met NBA star Stephen Curry. 

“Both of those guys are well-known people, but they are even better people,” Friedrichsen explained. “It was good to talk to them and pick their brains. It was valuable to have resources like that." 

When it comes to Davidson, Friedrichsen was already familiar with the school as he had been on campus prior to his official visit in September. The chance to meet Curry, who was back in town for his graduation and Davidson Hall of Fame induction, was a rare opportunity most recruits don’t get. 

"I had already been to Davidson, so I kind of expected what it was about, but Steph Curry's ceremony was great,” Friedrichsen said. “I wasn't surprised by anything because I knew what the coaches were about. It's definitely a beautiful campus and it's unique." 

And when it comes to a decision, Friedrichsen has two more official visits on the schedule and then a decision could come before November. 

"I'll be at Nebraska this week and Northwestern next week,” said Friedrichsen. “My decision could be any time after that. I will probably sign in November, so I could commit before then if I had to guess. I don't really have a timeline, but I do have something in mind." 

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