Terrance Williams

With the summer basketball circuit in full swing this past weekend, including the annual Peach Jam, Notre Dame is in full court press mode moving forward following last week’s news of Stanford transfer Cormac Ryan’s decision to sit out the 2019-20 season and prepare for his red-shirt sophomore season with the Irish.

One of Notre Dame’s top candidates – 247Sports’ No. 44 prospect SF-Jabri Abdur-Rahim from Blairstown, N.J. – fell by the wayside last week when the 6-foot-6, 185-pounder chose Virginia over Michigan, Georgia, Notre Dame and others.

The Irish could hand out anywhere from three-to-five scholarships to the Class of 2020 following the transfer of D.J. Harvey to Vanderbilt, the loss of John Mooney, Rex Pflueger and T.J. Gibbs after the 2019-20 season, and with the addition of Ryan. Notre Dame will have just 10 scholarship players eligible to participate in 2019-20.

In addition to Abdur-Rahim, gone from our most recent Master List last updated in May are No. 20 composite prospect/five-star SG- Bryce Thompson (Tulsa, Okla.), No. 28 prospect/four-star SG- Earl Timberlake (Hyattsville, Md.), No. 84 prospect/four-star C- Elijah Hutchins-Everett (Wayne, N.J.), and No. 124 prospect/three-star PG- Jamal Shead (Manor, Texas; Houston commit).

4* CG- DJ STEWARD

• Height: 6-3

• Weight: 150

• School: Whitney Young (Chicago, Ill.)

• 247Sports ranking: No. 31

• Composite ranking: No. 27

• Top considerations: Duke, Illinois, Louisville, Texas, Notre Dame

• Note: Assistant coach Ryan Humphrey is the point man on Steward, who is similar to Jaden Ivey (Purdue), although rated more than 100 spots higher on the composite list. Doesn’t have the same length and bounce as Ivey, but a better and more consistent outside shooter. Also has played against better competition overall than Ivey, so a bit more seasoned over a longer period of time.

Not expected to make a decision anytime soon, although 247Sports has four-of-four crystal balls cast toward Duke. The transfer of Cormac Ryan shifts Notre Dame’s priorities to the frontcourt, but Steward – who visited Notre Dame after an outstanding junior season – is a real talent and would be one year behind Ryan in eligibility. Considered a good fit for Notre Dame, but with Duke looming…

• Trending: Steady-to-down

4* C- HUNTER DICKINSON

• Height: 7-2

• Weight: 255

• School: DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, Md.)

• 247Sports ranking: No. 30

• Composite ranking: No. 36

• Top considerations: Notre Dame, Purdue, Virginia, Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina.

• Notes: The Irish feel like they’re “still right in there” for the services of this mostly highly-touted big man whose stock downshifted a bit on the spring and summer circuits. (He’s gone from a five-star to a high four-star.) Notre Dame would like to get him to campus ahead of his USC football weekend visit, but he may not even be ready to make a decision by that mid-October trip.

Notre Dame, Louisville, and North Carolina appear to be the frontrunners ahead of Purdue and Virginia, although the Tar Heels’ recent offer has lost a bit of luster with 6-foot-10 No. 5 composite prospect Day’Ron Sharpe (Winterville, N.C.) verbally committed to North Carolina.

The proverbial must-get for the Irish, particularly since Dickinson hails from Mike Brey’s alma mater.

• Trending: Steady

4* SF- DONOVAN “PUFF” JOHNSON

• Height: 6-7

• Weight: 185

• School: Moon Area (Coraopolis, Pa.)

• 247Sports ranking: No. 48

• Composite ranking: No. 49

• Top considerations: Arizona, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh

• Notes: Younger brother of former Pittsburgh/North Carolina first-team all-ACC Cameron Johnson has considered reclassifying in the Class of 2019 if he can achieve academic standing to begin his collegiate career this fall. With just 10 players on scholarship, Notre Dame would take Johnson and red-shirt him if that’s what it would take to land him and make the academic transition.

Played at the Peach Jam this past weekend. The combination three-four had a good junior season and is a good student. Made unofficial visit to Notre Dame and met with Brey in the spring. Received an offer from the Irish at that time. His ranking has bumped up into the top 50 in recent months.

• Trending: Up, although 247Sports lists Arizona and North Carolina as the frontrunners.

4* PF- PJ HALL

• Height: 6-9

• Weight: 220

• School: Dorman (Roebuck, S.C.)

• 247Sports ranking: 70

• Composite ranking: 65

• Top considerations: Clemson, Florida, Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Tennessee

• Notes: New to the Notre Dame list. A fairly bouncy frontcourt player with a soft touch and an inclination to finish with a two-handed flush. Plays with length and bounce with shot-blocking ability, although he’s not a sky-walker per se. Plays with some flair and attitude. Predominately a standstill shooter, so it’s a bit difficult to extrapolate whether he’s a true stretch four, although the ball does arrive at the rim in a quiet fashion.

Although new to the party, Notre Dame may be making inroads against a manageable group of contenders. Irish witnessed his weekend performance at the Adidas Summer Championships in Birmingham, Ala.

• Trending: Steady-to-up

4* SG- NIELS LANE

• Height: 6-5

• Weight: 195

• School: Roselle Catholic (Roselle, N.J.)

• 247Sports ranking: 66

• Composite ranking: 69

• Top considerations: Florida, Providence, Seton Hall, Xavier

• Notes: Back on Irish Illustrated’s Master List from March. Now at his third high school, which generally sends up a red flag for Notre Dame. But his academic background is very good and the Irish are interested. Considered a good fit…if his basketball skills are polished enough. AAU teammates with two other additions to the Master List – Elijah Taylor and Noah Collier (see below).

Visited Notre Dame last fall. Has been somewhat of an up-and-down player, but had a very good spring. Not a shooter per se, but he’s very athletic and plays hard. Raw offensive skills, but a bouncy player with great ups. A player the Irish will continue to monitor. Looks like a potential red-shirt candidate as he develops his basketball skills. Some questions about his toughness, but no shortage of athleticism. His move up to a top 70 prospect is a bit perplexing from our standpoint. There’s potential but he’s got a ways to go.

• Trending: Steady-to-up

4* PF- BEN CARLSON

• Height: 6-9

• Weight: 205

• School: East Ridge (St. Paul, Minn.)

• 247Sports ranking: No. 83

• Composite ranking: No. 76

• Top considerations: Stanford, Minnesota, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Xavier, Notre Dame

• Notes: The combination three-four had a good junior season and is a good student. Made unofficial visit to Notre Dame last June after Chicago AAU tournament. Fairly bouncy player performed well in New York with Notre Dame in attendance. Has had a strong interest in Notre Dame and is a great student. Stanford pushed hard early. His father Marc played at Iowa State in the early ‘90s.

Dropped in the rankings after a lukewarm April on the spring circuit, but considered better than he showed. Plays with the basketball above his head like a big man should. Shows awareness of how to create space to score around the basketball. A bit deliberate, but gains offensive separation. Participated in Hoover, Ala. this past weekend. Notre Dame remains uncertain as to how well he shoots it. Irish have gone back and forth a bit on their evaluation of Carlson. Likely won’t be a part of Notre Dame’s class if the Irish land Terrance Williams.

• Trending: Steady

4* PF- TERRANCE WILLIAMS

• Height: 6-6

• Weight: 215

• School: Gonzaga Prep (Washington D.C.)

• 247Sports ranking: No. 91

• Composite ranking: No. 82

• Top considerations: Georgetown, Notre Dame

• Notes: Notre Dame’s main focus at the present time, along with Dickinson. The next-most-likely-to-commit prospect on Notre Dame’s board. Up 60 spots since last Irish Illustrated Master List in May. Made an official visit to Notre Dame in May. Very skilled. Listed as a power forward, but more of a four-three. Former teammate and close friends with current Irish point guard Prentiss Hubb. Plenty of toughness and the ability to pop out and make shots. Looks like a tight end, but offers a quiet release on his jump shot and a soft touch. Uses strong legs, lower body to move feet and defend.

Notre Dame has tried to sell Williams on how Notre Dame’s power forwards have gotten better and excelled, such as Bonzie Colson and John Mooney. Also trying to sell playing time availability with Mooney out the door after the 2019-20 season. A frontline of Williams, Juwan Durham and Nate Laszewski could be dynamic. His high school coach has indicated staying close to home is not an issue, which gives the Irish optimism as Williams reportedly has narrowed his choices down to Georgetown and Notre Dame. An efficient, bullish presence around the basket most reminiscent of Colson. Even adept at taking charges.

• Trending: Up…but so is Georgetown

4* PF- JAKOBE COLES

• Height: 6-7

• Weight: 230

• School: Guyer (Denton, Texas)

• 247Sports ranking: No. 130

• Composite ranking: No. 132

• Top offers: Colorado, SMU, TCU, Tulsa, Notre Dame

• Notes: Second time on Irish Illustrated’s Master List. A rising prospect on Notre Dame’s chart with assistant coach Ryan Humphrey in pursuit. Big body considered “an acquired taste.” Lacking some athleticism, but has proven to be a shot-maker on a good AAU team.

A blue-collar worker on Texas elite Denton Guyer High School squad. Sturdy inside presence who runs the court well. Can pop out and hit a jumper, but does most of his work in and around the paint. Mostly a below-the-rim player, but is physical and has good vision and an interior passing game. Knows how to play the game. A fallback choice if Terrance Williams chooses Georgetown/someone other than Notre Dame. Previously visited the Irish.

• Trending: Steady-to-up

3* PF- NOAH COLLIER

• Height: 6-7

• Weight: 200

• School Westtown School (Norristown, Pa.)

• 247Sports ranking: No. 229

• Composite ranking: No. 160

• Top considerations: Syracuse

• Notes: New to the Irish Illustrated Master List. Fairly raw as an offensive player, but plays with length and runs the floor like an athlete. More developed and stronger than current Notre Dame player Juwan Durham, but without the length. Shows some tenacity on the backboards. Good not great jumping ability. Can pop out and hit a jumper from 15-to-18 feet. Long-term upside, but likely a project in his jump from high school to college.

• Trending: Steady

3* SG- GRANT HUFFMAN

• Height: 6-3

• Weight: 165

• School: St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)

• 247Sports ranking: No. 244

• Composite Ranking: 170

• Top considerations: Xavier, Notre Dame, Ohio State

• Notes: Made spring visit to Notre Dame. Visited Notre Dame unofficially on Sept. 15 for Vanderbilt football game. Broke his ankle in first game of his sophomore year, thus limiting his profile heading into 2018-19. Played well in the spring in front of Brey while showing a great feel for the game. Capable of getting to the rim and making plays.

Consistency of shooting has been and remains an issue. A knowledgeable, savvy player. If he’s willing to come to Notre Dame and red-shirt his freshman year, the Irish might be a bit more inclined to pull the trigger on an offer. Looks to be a Plan B guy.

• Trending: Steady

3* SG- TREY GALLOWAY

• Height: 6-3

• Weight: 165

• School: The Culver Academies (Culver, Ind.)

• 247Sports ranking: No. 122

• Composite ranking: No. 179

• Top considerations: Indiana, Butler, Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Purdue, Xavier

• Notes: Notre Dame feels well-positioned, although Indiana has jumped up and caught his attention. Perhaps the player most impacted by Cormac Ryan’s transfer to Notre Dame. A player the Irish believe continues to trend upward for his state championship runner-up team coached by his father. Defeated Mishawaka (Ind.) Marian and Jaden Ivey on way to state championship game.

Known for his determination and toughness. Not a great shooter, but a better athlete than many think. Quality feet with bounce. A Steve Vasturia-type player. Played well in Adidas gathering in New York last summer and as a member of the 16U winning team. Basketball smarts, due in part to playing for his father at the high school level.

• Trending: Steady

3* PF- ELIJAH TAYLOR

• Height: 6-8

• Weight: 215

• School: Imhotep Institute (Philadelphia, Pa.)

• 247Sports ranking: 154

• Composite ranking: 193

• Top offers: Dayton, Florida, Georgetown, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Tennessee, VCU, Virginia Tech

• Notes: Hard-charging, physically-mature player who plays a power game around the basket. Didn’t play particularly well in recent tournament with AAU team out of inner-city Philadelphia. But moves his feet well with an edge about him. Left-handed shot just one reason why Notre Dame compares him to former frontline presence Ty Nash.

Notre Dame recently offered, but there’s some work to be done academically. Would be a nice physical presence to add to the front line. Maybe not a standout, but someone who would add toughness to Notre Dame’s equation, which is always welcome.

Trending: Steady-to-up