Mike Brey has needed something to rejuvenate his program for a few years after the downturn his program has seen compared to the run he saw in the early to mid-2010s. The commitment of JJ Starling a top-40 recruit could be just what Brey’s program has needed to get going again. Starling is Brey’s highest-ranked recruit since 2013 when Demetrius Jackson committed to the school.
Starling was also being recruited by Duke, making the win for Brey and the Irish even sweeter. It’s not often Brey has gone toe-to-toe with the Blue Bloods of the sport for recruits and won. Starling mentioned the trust he had in Brey and the coaching staff as the biggest reason for his decision to pop for Notre Dame.
JJ Starling is Irish ??
The combo guard is the highest rated recruit Notre Dame has landed in the 247 sports era. pic.twitter.com/d0nZYczI0c
— Breaking Down Brey’s Boys (@NDbballanalysis) October 12, 2021
JJ Starling, the player will be fun in Brey’s spread offense and should have the chance to be used similar to how Jerami Grant was used. Starling is a combo guard who is wired to score and is at his best when he’s getting to his spots for pull-up jumpers and floaters in the mid-range. He’s a capable shooter from deep but it’s not where he excels. Getting others involved isn’t a skill he’s known for at this time but it’s certainly something he has a chance to really develop at. Brey should have fun getting to use Starling as a chess piece once he gets him on campus next year.
