Julian Roper II Leading New Era of Notre Dame Basketball
It’s a new era of Notre Dame basketball as Micah Shrewsberry has started to put his stamp on the program with summer workouts in full swing.
The Irish have seven new faces on the team and transfer Julian Roper II leads the team in experience after appearing in 44 games at Northwestern over the last two seasons.
Roper started 15 games at guard as a true freshman before injuries and an illness cut his sophomore season to just 15 contests, but the 6-foot-3, 180-pounder watched and learned how to lead a team and that’s something Shrewsberry is counting on him to do in 2023.
“So far being here through the summer, I’ve been trying to be more vocal being a veteran now,” Roper stated. “I’m trying to be more vocal and use my experiences that I have with Chase Audige and Boo Buie from Northwestern as they were our leaders. I’m trying to take certain things I learned from them and trying to implement my own type of things here. I’m trying to take over as one of the lead voices.”
To this point, Roper’s voice is being heard as he’s seen his new teammates follow his lead while the coaching staff has also provided support.
“I feel like I’ve found my voice,” said Roper. “Pretty much whatever I say is backed by coaches and everyone follows. I think that’s a good sign so far.”
Shrewsberry also has noticed Roper has brought another aspect to the team and one that’s crucial as he looks to build the program from square one.
“Julian brings a level of toughness that I think every team needs,” explained Shrewsberry. “Every program needs a guy like him - his energy, his toughness, his ability to fight is just something that if you have it, it’s great. I think I’d be concerned about it if we didn’t have that level of toughness.”
Roper understands what it takes to build a program as the Wildcats went 15-16 his freshman year before going 22-12 to make the NCAA Tournament last season. The toughness aspect is an area Roper is well aware of and he’s seen positive strides this summer within the team.
“I think we’re a group that’s going to compete every night,” Roper said. “That’s something you guys can expect. I don’t think we’re going to back down from anybody. Everybody we have right now has been an everyday type of guy - ready to go and ready to work. We’re just competing every day.”
Defense is where Roper’s game starts, but Shrewsberry also believes his guard can also pack a scoring punch, which will be needed as Roper’s 4.4 ppg is the highest returning average of those who have played a college game.
“He can score the basketball,” stated Shrewsberry. “He can do other things offensively, but I think his calling card is what he can do defensively - how he can be disruptive, how he can get into the passing lanes, how he can guard and be physical but also help us on the glass.”
Roper will have the opportunity to play and play a lot this season, but landing at Notre Dame came down to trusting Shrewsberry and believing in his coaching after witnessing it the last two years.
“Just from playing against him my two years (at Northwestern), I loved what he did and being on the court,” Roper explained. “I could hear his voice and the confidence he gave his guys and the freedom he let his guys play with. That was a big thing for me. Once I found out he was interested it was almost like I had to come check it out and see what he was about. Everything matched up.”
It was a big recruiting win for Notre Dame as Roper didn’t have a lack of interest once he entered the portal earlier this year as over 30 schools reached out to him.
“It was a crazy process,” laughed Roper. “I was injured a lot and I was sick throughout the year. I didn’t think I had enough film to be able to get contacted. When I first entered the portal, I was very shocked. I heard from about 32 schools on the first day, so it was a blessing. It was exciting just to see how many people reached out and how many people were interested in me. “
The ankle injury is well behind him and Roper is now focused on finishing the summer strong as the season is just four months away.
“Everything is in the rearview mirror now,” said Roper. “I’m fully recovered. I was cleared back in late March, so I’m pretty much cleared from everything. I feel good. I’m feeling 100 percent. I’m definitely getting stronger.”
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