Potential Hoops Transfer Braden Norris Talks Notre Dame Visit
Braden Norris didn’t get a ton of recruiting interest coming out of Ohio’s Hilliard Bradley High School a year ago, but it’s coming now.
“It feels great,” Norris said. “You work all your life for opportunities like this and when they finally present themselves, it’s a great feeling.”
Norris is in the process of transferring after a successful freshman year at Oakland University when he was named to the Horizon League’s All-Freshman Team.
Since entering the NCAA transfer portal late last week, Norris has heard from Notre Dame, Ohio State, Butler, Richmond, Wright State and Morehead State.
“Obviously, that doesn’t mean you stop working by any means,” he said. “I’ve always had belief in myself. Obviously, I thought I was underrecruited coming out of high school, but that’s what happens when you’re 5-11. I’m just happy I’m getting these opportunities now and these schools are showing interest in me. So far, it’s been a very exciting process.”
The process included a visit to Notre Dame this past weekend.
“They were kind of the first ones to contact me Friday after I went into the portal,” said Norris. “They were definitely quick on the move. They had me up Sunday and it was a good visit.
“It went really well. I really enjoyed it. Coach (Ryan) Ayers took me around campus and showed me around. I’d been up there before, but was able to take a deeper look into it. I met with the guys, played with the guys a little bit.”
Norris, who started 30 games in one year at Oakland, averaged 8.4 points, 5.2 assists and 1.4 steals while shooting over 48 percent from three-point range.
He said he felt good getting on the court with the current Irish players.
“I think I played well,” he said. “Playing with those guys in that type of offense with those kinds of players makes the game easier for me too. To find those guys, they can all shoot it. (Prentiss) Hubb can obviously make a lot of plays for teammates. It was really fun playing with him. I think I had a good experience playing with them and it was definitely fun.”
Norris plans on keeping in touch with the Irish.
“I think they’re going to continue to show interest,” he said. “Obviously, from my end, it would be great to get an offer from them, but obviously, I know it’s a business and they have to make decisions. If they offer, they’re definitely one of my top schools without a doubt. Hopefully, they just continue to show interest and maybe pull the trigger.”
Norris doesn’t have a firm timetable for a decision just yet.
“Obviously, when I went to Oakland, I wasn’t planning on transferring at all,” he explained. “That wasn’t my intention when I signed there. Things didn’t work out, so I did transfer. I want to get this decision right because I don’t want to transfer again. I’m not in any rush, but I do want to know where I’m going to be for the next four years if that makes sense.
“I’d say sooner rather than later.”