The Notre Dame men’s basketball program is always looking for size and toughness and the Irish are getting both in 2020 power forward Elijah Taylor, who just announced his commitment to Mike Brey and his staff during a press conference at Imhotep Institute Charter School.

The 6-foot-8, 230-pounder chose Notre Dame over offers from several other schools including Florida, Pitt, Seton Hall, VCU, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Providence and Rutgers.

Imhotep associate head coach Tahar Sutton, who also coaches Taylor’s AAU squad Team Final, pointed to the history in South Bend as a major reason why.

“The tradition Notre Dame has in the sports world, not just basketball but football,” said Sutton. “It’s a huge sports university.”

Additionally, the coaching staff at Notre Dame made a strong impression.

“What Mike Brey has been able to do during his tenure there, kind of taken it from a program that had lust some of its prestige from the years of Adrian Dantley and them guys back in the day to bring it back to life,” Sutton explained. “Now, it’s a top-tier program in the ACC. Mike Brey is a big part of it.”

Academics was “obviously” a major component to Taylor’s decision as well, according to Sutton.

“The Business School is a huge reason why he committed to Notre Dame,” he said.

And the final piece was what Taylor will be looking at on the court.

“The other part of it to be quite honest is the opportunity to play,” said Sutton. “The opportunity for him to get on the court sooner than later is a huge attraction to him and any kid in his position.”

Taylor is the first pledge for Notre Dame in the Class of 2020 and the Irish still have several other prospects on their board, but with one committed already, that board could start shrinking a bit.