Blue and Gold Illustrated

August 2017

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com AUGUST 2017 45 BY COREY BODDEN Notre Dame was the last program in Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga point guard Prentiss Hubb's final four — which also included Maryland, Vil- lanova and Virginia — to receive a visit from the top-70 talent. The trip April 30-May 1 played a huge role in the 6-2, 155-pounder 's decision to commit to the Fighting Irish May 17. "I'm not sure it was the final key, but it was necessary because he had been on the campus of every other school," Gonzaga head coach Steve Turner told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "For him to be able to evaluate every- one fairly against each other, it was a necessary trip that needed to happen so he could get the full scope Coach Mike Brey and the school would present to him. "In the end for him it felt a lot like home. He's been going to Catholic schools in middle school and in high school, and it was a lot of things that made him feel very similar to the way he does here at Gonzaga." Turner admitted he was a little surprised in the timing of Hubb's commitment, but not that he picked Notre Dame. He sees a natural fit on the court for Hubb in South Bend. "He'll have an opportunity to be a very good lead guard for them," Turner explained. "His ability to be a versatile player and his ability to be the lead guard who can be a dis- tributor as well as, at times, a scorer will allow him to do multiple things for them. "He's a tremendous defender and gets his hands on a lot of balls. He's a guy who can help you win games without being the guy who is the leading scorer." Development in Brey's program and system is another reason Turner feels Hubb decided on the Irish. "If you look at Coach's track re- cord and if you watch his players, they continue to grow and get better," Turner said. "Sometimes you even see the guys who weren't the most heralded names coming in continu- ing to get better and move on to bet- ter opportunities on and off the court. "He's got a guy who is a leader who has done really well by his guys. That is something Prentiss is going to get from him when he gets there." Turner went deeper on what makes Hubb and Notre Dame a good fit. "[He is] a leader who is a winner," Turner said of Hubb. "He's been suc- cessful in his career as an athlete and a student. "He brings that well-rounded guy who is going to fight and compete and push hard in both areas to repre- sent the school to the fullest." Hubb spent his junior season play- ing shooting guard alongside point guard Chris Lykes. With Lykes — ranked the No. 74 player overall by Rivals in his class — headed to Mi- ami (Fla.), Hubb gets his shot to lead the Gonzaga program at point guard, which he has done with his AAU team DC Premier. "He's definitely a point guard now," Rivals national analyst Corey Evans said. "He's turned into a point guard, and I think he took a good step this past winter and spring. Play- ing at Gonzaga next to Chris Lykes, it's difficult to play Chris off the bas- ketball. It always pigeonholed Pren- tiss. He's shown now he can be a true one as a facilitator and a playmaker. "Versatility is so crucial in bas- ketball. The ability to play different spots on the floor has never been more vital than it is now. A guy like Prentiss Hubb can make shots when playing off the ball, but also on the ball. A guy who can take care of the ball, that's pretty important for someone like Mike Brey, who relies so much on interchangeable parts." As a junior, Hubb averaged 13.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. ✦ FILM ANALYSIS "He's as well rounded a guard that you're going to find in this class," Rivals national analyst Corey Evans said of Hubb. "He's not a great athlete and doesn't have great size, but he's a really sound ball- player. He makes a lot of the right decisions and makes shots, creates for his teammates. He's a great decision maker all-around. "He's definitely going to get some looks early on. He played 17U ball with DC Premier on the Under Armour circuit and has played four years of varsity at Gonzaga, which is one of the most prestigious basketball programs in America. He's definitely battle tested. "If he doesn't play it's not because he isn't experienced enough. By the time December or January rolls around, he'll practically be a sophomore in college because of his experience." COMMITMENT PROFILE PRENTISS HUBB Comfort Led D.C. Point Guard To Notre Dame Hubb, a 6-2 point guard from Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga, is ranked as the No. 62 overall player in the country by Rivals. PHOTO BY KELLY KLINE/COURTESY UNDER ARMOUR

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