Carmody Explains Commitment To Notre Dame
The Notre Dame men’s basketball program zeroed in on Robby Carmody as a top target in the Class of 2018 very early in the process and on Thursday, that persistence paid off as the Pennsylvania shooting guard gave the Irish his verbal commitment during an official visit to South Bend.
Carmody said “everything” about Notre Dame led him to choose the Irish over offers from schools like Michigan, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Auburn, Ohio State, Louisville, Purdue, Cincinnati and Butler among others.
“Academically, it fits me,” the Mars, Pa., native aid. “It’s one of the top 15, 20 schools in the entire world. Basketball-wise, they’re playing in the ACC, which is the best conference. They’re making improvements, getting a new practice facility. I just think the relationship I built with the coaching staff is the best bar none.”
Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey and assistant Ryan Ayers led up Carmody’s recruitment.
“They were so happy,” said Carmody. “It was definitely a great experience getting to do it on campus.”
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound Carmody averaged 26.2 points, 12.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game as a junior at Mars Area High School and believes he’ll add toughness to the program.
“I think I’m pretty similar to a lot of the guys they brought in,” he said. “I think I’ll be able to play my role really well.
“They think I could come in and develop a little bit and become a little bit like a Steve Vasturia, Pat Connaughton type.”
A consensus four-star prospect, Carmody joins Washington, D.C. point guard Prentiss Hubb to give the Irish a formidable backcourt in the Class of 2018. He’s ready to help the Irish add to the group.
“I’m definitely going to try to help the recruiting a little bit,” he said, quickly pointing to Wisconsin power forward Joey Hauser as one player he’ll target immediately.
“I know him a little bit. I hear he’s pretty big on Notre Dame and he’s an unbelievable player and it’d be great to have him join me and Prentiss.”
6-foot-10 power forward Juwan Durham will also be eligible beginning with the 2018-19 season after his transfer from UConn earlier this month.
Carmody is excited to have found his future home.
“It feels unbelievable. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Obviously, the process has been unbelievable and amazing, but it’s nice that it’s over and I can start focusing on just basketball.”