Newsstand: Notre Dame guard Blake Wesley to participate in NBA Draft Combine
Notre Dame freshman Blake Wesley is officially on the list for one of the NBA pre-draft process’ biggest events. Wesley, a 6-5, 185-pound guard, is one of nearly 80 prospects who will participate in the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago May 16-22.
Wesley will not play in five-on-five scrimmages during the combine, according to a report from the South Bend Tribune.
Wesley declared for the draft March 30 and told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony he had no plans to return to college. If he remains in the draft as planned, he would be the first one-and-done in Notre Dame men’s basketball history. He is widely projected as a first-round pick, appearing as high as the lottery in some mock drafts. Givony’s latest mock has him as the No. 22 pick to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Notre Dame signed Wesley as part of its 2021 class. He was a four-star recruit and the No. 100 overall player, per the On3 Consensus. He was the first player from a South Bend public high school to sign with the Irish men’s basketball team since 1985. He played at Riley High School, which is about four miles south of Notre Dame’s campus.
Wesley averaged a team-high 14.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 2021-22. He shot 40.4 percent overall and 30.3 percent on three-pointers. Notre Dame went 24-11, 15-5 in the ACC and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Notre Dame has also operated as if he will not be back and filled his spot with Niagara graduate transfer guard Marcus Hammond.
Irish forward Nate Laszewski is also going through the pre-draft process and has until June 1 to decide if he wants to return to school or continue his pro pursuits. He was not invited to the combine or the G League Elite Camp, which is also held in Chicago. He has the option to play a fifth season using the COVID-19 waiver.
The 2022 NBA Draft is June 23.
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