ACC Basketball: Breakout candidates from each team for 2020-21 season

ACC Basketball breakout candidate – Nate Laszewski (Notre Dame)

T.J. Gibbs and John Mooney’s departures from Notre Dame’s program unfortunately leaves the Fighting Irish uncomfortably low on offensive firepower for next season, as Prentiss Hubb returns as the only other real offensive threat from last year’s team. But now with more responsibilities consequently falling onto his shoulders as well, bet on forward Nate Laszewski to step up and make a huge difference during his Junior year

Last year Laszewski played the “sixth man” role for Notre Dame quite well, averaging just over 20 MPG while modestly adding 7.4 PPG and hauling in 4.6 RPG last year. But with Mooney’s graduation primarily offering Laszewski a chance to audition for a starting spot to potentially become a steady contributor, his ability to stretch the floor and come up big during clutch situations certainly bodes confidence regarding his future elevation as a player.

Across all levels within the game, the appetite for bigs who can play adequately down low while still possessing a serviceable jump shot continues to grow. At the professional level, we see players like Kevin Durant, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Serge Ibaka, and countless others create problems night in and night out for opposing defenses with this versatility at their dispose. Playing big around the rim last year as the team’s second-leading rebounder while simultaneously threatening from beyond the arc by averaging at least one three-pointer made per game, Laszewski fits this profile which basketball minds continue to drool over.

But as an even more impressive attribute, he successfully accomplishes all this effectively even during the game’s most dire situations. Likely still serving as a salty memory for their fans apart a season already filled with disappointment, Laszewski’s go-ahead three-pointer as the clock ticked down into the single digits against UNC last year still feels like perhaps the most exhilarating moment from Notre Dame’s campaign last year.

Laszewski also hit a game-tying three at the buzzer against Toledo a few months prior. The Irish went on to win the game later during the overtime period.

Tailor-made for clutch situations and equipped with all the tools a modern power forward needs, Notre Dame’s next star only needs the calendar to speed up a bit in order to become a household name.