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Four-star point guard Jonathan Sanderson commits to Notre Dame

IMG_7504by: Jack Soble06/08/25jacksoble56
Jonathan Sanderson by Mick Walker -- Lettermen Row --
Jonathan Sanderson (Mick Walker/Lettermen Row)

Notre Dame’s 2026 recruiting class is off to a flying start, as the Irish secured a top-51 player in La Porte (Ind.) La Lumiere point guard Jonathan Sanderson.

Sanderson committed to Notre Dame on Sunday, announcing his pledge on social media via On3’s Joe Tipton. He is the No. 51 player and No. 8 point guard in the On3 Industry Ranking. If that rating holds, he will be the second-highest signee of the Micah Shrewsberry era, behind only fellow La Lumiere star Jalen Haralson.

“I chose Notre Dame because it felt like the perfect fit for my style of play,” Sanderson told Tipton. “I really like how they utilize their guards and the way Coach Shrewsberry sees and teaches the game. I also love the culture and environment surrounding the program.”

Sanderson committed to La Lumiere on May 10, moving to northern Indiana alongside his dad, Jon Sanderson. Notre Dame hired the elder Sanderson as director of men’s basketball strength and conditioning on May 10, poaching him from Vanderbilt.

The elder Sanderson is the legal guardian of top-100 2026 center Gan-Erdene Solongo, who is also a high-priority target for the Irish.

While his dad worked for the Commodores, Jonathan Sanderson starred for Nashville (Tenn.) Ensworth. Prior to that, his dad worked for Michigan, and he attended Saline (Mich.) High — the high school alma mater of Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr.

A 6-foot-2 point guard, Sanderson was named Tennessee’s Gatorade Player of the Year for his performance with Ensworth this past season. He averaged 24.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals as the Tigers finished with a 20-11 record.

The Irish had been after Sanderson long before his dad began working for the program, having offered him in September 2023. They battled for his commitment with Ohio State, Michigan State, Vanderbilt and Illinois.

“Great staff, first and foremost,” Sanderson told On3’s Jamie Shaw in February. “I love the staff. I know a couple of the players. Really, I just had a fun time there. Seeing how he coaches, I mean, he just lets his guys go. He lets his guys take over the game. I went for the North Carolina game, and he really let Markus [Burton] go in his game back. You can just tell, that I want to play for a guy like that.”

Sanderson will sign with Notre Dame during the early signing period in November, and he’ll join the Irish for the 2026 season.

On the court, he’s considered a hot-shooting lead guard who can score off the dribble and put the ball in the basket from anywhere on the floor.

“My game is built on giving everything I have every time I step on the court,” Sanderson said. “As a point guard, I can score at all three levels and create opportunities for others at a high level. A lot of people are also surprised by my athleticism—I take pride in bringing that edge to my game.”

Scouting report: On3’s Jamie Shaw on Jonathan Sanderson

“Jonathan Sanderson is a strong lead guard with athleticism and confidence. He plays fast, with range that extends beyond the arc and he is able to self-create off the bounce or play off ball and stretch the floor with his shooting range. 

“Shrewsberry has had his best teams with a lead guard who is able to put pressure on a defense off a live dribble. Sanderson fits that mold, while being able to elevate the play of those around him. While there will be a learning curve, Shrewsberry has found success with guys who have similar attributes to Sanderson.”

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