Four months ago, it looked like Jerian Grant's career at Notre Dame might be over. He had left school due to an undisclosed academic matter, and some thought that without a true collegiate home, he was headed to the NBA Draft.
What Jerian Grant’s return means to Notre Dame next season
Notre Dame’s leading scorer left the team due to academic issues, but coach Mike Brey says he expects the guard back next year.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
But Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said otherwise on Wednesday, telling reporters that his leading scorer would, in fact, be with the team in 2014-15.
“Jerian will be back June 15th for Summer School. We’re excited to have him back... He’s full-speed ahead for June 15th and he’ll be back with us when we go on the foreign tour.”
Before leaving the team at the end of 2013, Grant led Notre Dame in scoring, putting up 19 points per game to go along with six assists. His final game was on Dec. 21 in what was a monumental collapse for the Irish against Ohio State. A few days later, he released a statement saying there was an academic situation that he “did not handle properly” and as a result he was no longer enrolled at Notre Dame.
Neither Grant nor Brey elaborated on what exactly happened, though Grant indicated in his statement that he had no one to blame but himself.
The Irish will play exhibition games in Italy in August, and Grant is expected to play.
More than just the numbers
When Grant returns, he will bring more than his 19-point scoring average back to the team. He led the Irish in assists with over six per game and was the second-best three-point shooter on the team, making more than 40 percent of his attempts.
And even beyond the numbers, Grant carried the team when he needed to. Take, for example, the classic overtime game Notre Dame played against Louisville in February 2013. Grant struggled nearly all night. He shot 0-7 from the field over the first 39 minutes. Then, in the final minute of regulation alone, he scored 12 points, including three baskets from beyond the arc to force the first overtime.
Off the court, Grant considers himself a leader on the team. Brey continued to speak highly of his guard, even after he left school.
“One thing I want to make clear about Jerian: I love Jerian Grant and I’m really confident I will coach him again. As a teacher, you’re about helping kids back on track and learning from things.”
Brey said Grant was involved in every aspect of the Irish’s game offensively. Having him back, potentially for a full season, could give Notre Dame a fighting chance in the ACC and will likely be critical to the team’s success.
Staying competitive
Grant’s departure, inconveniently coming just before the start of ACC play, gave Notre Dame a completely different look as a team. As Brey told USA Today, it was like they were starting from practice No. 1 on Dec. 26. And while the coach tried to highlight the silver lining -- teams sleeping on them, a chance to surprise some people and a nothing-to-lose attitude -- the Irish struggled mightily in the ACC. They went just 6-12 in the ACC and finished under .500 for the first time since Brey took over in South Bend.
Naturally, there's nowhere to go but up for the Irish in 2014-15, and Grant fits right in with the plans to make them competitive in the nation's toughest conference. Losing Eric Atkins and Garrick Sherman will hurt significantly, and Grant will need to carry the team throughout. Pat Connaughton should be a reliable force on the wing, but after him and Grant, Notre Dame is filled with unproven talent.
Demetrius Jackson had a few good games last year, especially in Grant's absence, but he struggles with consistency. V.J. Beachem came in with high expectations, but hasn't seen the time necessary to develop. Bonzie Colson is an incoming four-star freshman at forward, but he is also an unproven talent.
Grant could be that one piece that is able to hold together a Notre Dame team that has some interesting pieces, but hasn’t shown an indication that it is ready to put them together.
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