Notre Dame men’s basketball is making significant strides on the recruiting trail, following the inspirational lead of football head coach Marcus Freeman. In what has been an exciting couple of days for the program, the Irish have secured their second commitment in just as many days—an encouraging sign for fans who are eager to see sustained success on the hardwood.
It all kicked off with the commitment of Jonathan Sanderson, a talented point guard from Michigan and the son of Notre Dame’s new director of strength and conditioning, Jon Sanderson. This move not only strengthens the Irish backcourt but also highlights the strategic advantage of having a family connection within the program.
But the excitement didn’t stop there. On Monday morning, the Irish added to their 2026 recruiting class with the addition of 7-foot center Gan-Erdene Solongo from Tennessee. Weighing in at 270 pounds and ranked as the No. 99 overall recruit by On3, Solongo brings a formidable presence to the paint. The fact that Notre Dame now boasts two top-100 players in this class is an impressive feat that speaks volumes about head coach Micah Shrewsberry’s vision for the future.
While Shrewsberry is still in the process of molding his team on the court, the momentum on the recruitment front shows promise. Last season, Notre Dame secured four commitments that earned them the No. 5 overall class in the 247Sports Composite rankings, setting a high bar. With these latest additions, the Irish find themselves positioned at No. 7 nationally for the 2026 class—certainly a trajectory that has fans buzzing with optimism.
The future looks exceptionally bright for Notre Dame basketball as they continue to attract and develop impressive talent. This commitment spree reflects not just a momentary surge in recruiting success but a fundamental building block towards elevating the program into a competitive powerhouse once again. Exciting times are ahead for the Irish faithful!
