Micah Shrewsberry Makes History at Notre Dame by Signing the Highest-Rated Recruiting Class in Program’s Modern Basketball Era

In a move that has already begun reshaping the future of Notre Dame basketball, head coach Micah Shrewsberry has officially signed the highest-rated recruiting class in the program’s modern era. The Irish, long considered a tradition-rich but often under-the-radar name in the national college basketball conversation, now find themselves squarely in the spotlight thanks to an unprecedented wave of incoming talent. This class, which includes multiple four-star players and one consensus five-star recruit, represents a dramatic shift in trajectory for a program eager to return to national prominence.

When Shrewsberry arrived in South Bend in 2023, he brought with him a clear vision rooted in culture, development, and relentless recruiting. He was coming off an impressive tenure at Penn State, where he led the Nittany Lions to their first NCAA Tournament win in over two decades. But Notre Dame presented a new kind of challenge—a program with rich academic expectations, a proud athletic history, and a passionate fan base hungry for consistent basketball relevance.

Now entering his second full recruiting cycle at the helm of the Irish, Shrewsberry has turned what was once a hopeful rebuild into a tangible, top-tier roster overhaul. The 2025 recruiting class ranks among the top ten nationally according to 247Sports and ESPN, marking the highest such ranking in Notre Dame’s modern basketball history. It includes not just elite talent, but players with the kind of high character and basketball IQ that fit seamlessly into the values Shrewsberry has made foundational in South Bend.

The crown jewel of the class is five-star wing Jayden Williams, a 6-foot-8 do-it-all prospect out of Chicago’s Whitney Young High School. Williams, ranked as high as No. 7 nationally by some services, had offers from bluebloods like Duke, Kansas, and Kentucky, but chose Notre Dame citing Shrewsberry’s player development track record and the opportunity to build something meaningful. His versatility on both ends of the floor—able to guard multiple positions, create his own shot, and lead in transition—makes him a likely instant-impact player and potential one-and-done prospect.

Joining Williams are four-star guard Trevon Marshall, forward Elijah Gaines, and center Lucas Hammond, all ranked inside the top 75 nationally. Each of them chose Notre Dame over offers from top-tier programs in the SEC, Big Ten, and ACC. That Shrewsberry was able to lure them to South Bend speaks not only to his recruiting acumen but also to a changing perception of what Notre Dame basketball can be under his leadership.

Trevon Marshall, a dynamic 6-foot-4 point guard from the DMV area, is considered one of the most electric playmakers in his class. Known for his tight handle, court vision, and willingness to take over in crunch time, Marshall fills a critical need in the Irish backcourt. He’s expected to bring a competitive edge and offensive creativity that has sometimes been lacking in past Notre Dame teams.

Elijah Gaines, a long and athletic 6-foot-7 forward out of Texas, projects as a two-way weapon with upside as a stretch-four. With the ability to space the floor, attack closeouts, and defend both wings and bigs, Gaines provides the kind of positional versatility that Shrewsberry covets. His game has drawn comparisons to past NBA role players like Trevor Ariza, but Shrewsberry believes his ceiling may be even higher.

Lucas Hammond, the 6-foot-10 big man from Indiana, is a high-motor center known for his rebounding instincts and soft hands around the rim. He may not have the flash of his classmates, but Hammond plays with a consistent energy and toughness that often translates well at the college level. His presence in the paint should allow the Irish to shore up a long-standing issue with interior defense and second-chance points allowed.

There’s also a pair of three-star prospects in this class who may not carry the national hype but have garnered strong internal praise from the coaching staff. Combo guard Malachi Reid and sharp-shooting wing Carter Lyons bring skill sets and attitudes that are expected to thrive in Shrewsberry’s system. Reid, in particular, has drawn attention during offseason workouts for his defensive tenacity and willingness to lead.

What sets this class apart from past Notre Dame groups isn’t just talent—it’s the balance. There’s no redundancy among the signees, no single-position overload. Each player fills a specific need, and each brings a different strength to the roster. That kind of roster construction reflects both strategic foresight and a deep understanding of modern basketball. For Shrewsberry, who cut his teeth as an assistant under Brad Stevens with the Boston Celtics, this is no accident.

“We didn’t just want to bring in stars,” Shrewsberry said during a recent press conference. “We wanted to bring in competitors. Guys who want to win, who want to work, and who want to represent Notre Dame the right way. This class, man—it’s special.”

Indeed, it is. While Notre Dame has had its moments in the past—including Elite Eight runs under former coach Mike Brey and a consistent presence in the NCAA Tournament throughout the 2010s—it has never truly been a recruiting destination. The program’s academic standards and relatively quieter basketball brand often made it a secondary option for top-tier talent. But in this NIL-driven, portal-enhanced era, perception can shift quickly. And Micah Shrewsberry is doing everything possible to ensure that shift becomes permanent.

The players are already buying in. Several members of the 2025 class have spoken publicly about building chemistry before arriving on campus, including group chats and summer workouts planned in advance. Their commitment extends beyond basketball—they’ve expressed excitement about Notre Dame’s academic reputation, community culture, and national platform. It’s a refreshing contrast to the transactional nature that has infiltrated parts of college basketball in recent years.

National analysts have taken notice as well. ESPN’s Paul Biancardi recently said of the Irish class, “This is the kind of group that elevates a program’s ceiling. They’ve got elite talent, but more importantly, they’ve got a collective identity. Notre Dame hasn’t had a class like this in the modern era, and it could be the beginning of something bigger.”

And that’s what excites Irish fans the most—the possibility that this is only the beginning. The 2025 class has the potential to change not just the short-term trajectory of the program, but its long-term identity. With Name, Image and Likeness opportunities improving in South Bend and the ACC in flux due to realignment, Notre Dame stands at a crossroads. Shrewsberry and his staff are clearly betting that the program can be more than just a perennial tournament team. They want to build a championship contender.

Of course, success on paper doesn’t always translate to the court. There will be growing pains. There will be moments of doubt, especially with a young roster. But the infrastructure is now in place—modern facilities, a rising support staff, strong administrative backing, and now, elite talent. That combination hasn’t existed at Notre Dame in quite some time.

The 2025-26 season will be the true litmus test for how quickly this transformation takes shape. With veterans returning to guide the incoming freshmen and a coaching staff known for tactical flexibility, Notre Dame could make significant noise in both the ACC and the NCAA Tournament. Shrewsberry has emphasized defense and ball movement as pillars of his approach, and this group fits that mold.

Just as important as the on-court potential is the off-court signal being sent. Notre Dame is no longer sitting on the sidelines in high-stakes recruiting battles. It’s competing—and winning—against the nation’s elite. That shift could have ripple effects on future classes, with top juniors and sophomores now taking a much harder look at the Irish than in previous years.

There’s a palpable buzz around the program now, and for good reason. Micah Shrewsberry has done more than just recruit well—he’s redefined expectations. He’s given Notre Dame fans a reason to dream big again, to see the program not as a relic of past success but as a rising force in a changing college basketball landscape.

If this class lives up to its potential, it will not only go down as the best in modern Notre Dame history—it could be remembered as the one that changed everything.