Former Notre Dame players who played overseas in 2023-24 (2024)

Geoffrey Clark

June 3, 2024 8:00 am ET

Pat Connaughton and Blake Wesley are Notre Dame’s two former players currently in the NBA. Connaughton already was a steady veteran presence with the Milwaukee Bucks, while Wesley needed a little time to nail down a rotation spot in his second season with the San Antonio Spurs.

Meanwhile, Dane Goodwin played for the G-League’s Stockton Kings, averaging 7.0 points and 3.8 rebounds a game. Perhaps he’ll be joining Connaughton and Wesley at basketball’s top level soon enough.

But there are many other former Irish players who aren’t ready to give up on basketball just yet. Either no longer or never seen as good enough for the NBA or even the G-League, they have to look outside the U.S. for opportunities. Some do better than others, but the one thing they all have in common is they believe still have something to contribute to the sport. Otherwise, they would have hung up their sneakers already.

Tom Noie of the South Bend Tribune recently compiled a list of how former Irish players did this past season. Here are the 15 out of the 18 who took their talents abroad for the 2023-24 season:

Tim Abromaitis, Tenerife (Spain)

Mar 20, 2011; Chicago, IL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Tim Abromaitis (21) is defended by Florida State Seminoles guard Derwin Kitchen (22) in the first half of the third round of the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the United Center. Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

5.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.7 assists a game

Paul Atkinson Jr., Kortrijk Spurs (Belgium)

Mar 20, 2022; San Diego, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Paul Atkinson Jr. (20) is introduced before the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

18.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists a game

Zach Auguste, Mikawa Sea Horses (Japan)

Mar 27, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Zach Auguste (30) reacts during the second half against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

13.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists a game

Bonzie Colson, Maccabi Tel-Aviv (Israel)

Mar 7, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Bonzie Colson (35) reacts after hitting the go-ahead three point shot against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the second half of a second round game of the 2018 ACC tournament at Barclays Center. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 0.2 assists a game in Euro League

11.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 0.4 assists in Israel-Winner League

Jack Cooley, Ryukyu GK (Japan)

Mar 8, 2012; New York, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Jack Cooley (45) drives to the basket as South Florida Bulls forward Augustus Gilchrist (24) defends during the first half of the third round at the Big East Tournament held at Madison Square Garden. Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

13.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists a game

Nikola Djogo, Kormend (Hungary)

Feb 2, 2019; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Nikola Djogo (13) drives to the basket against the Boston College Eagles during the first half at Conte Forum. Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

12.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists a game

Martinas Geben, Baxi Manresa (Spain)

T.J. Gibbs, AD Galomar (Portugal)

Feb 9, 2020; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard T.J. Gibbs (10) during the first half of the game at Littlejohn Coliseum. Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

10.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists a game

15.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists a game with Artland in Germany

Jerian Grant, Panathinaikos OPAP (Greece)

Mar 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Jerian Grant (22) dribbles during the first half against the Wichita State Shockers in the semifinals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena. Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists a game in Euro League

8.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists a game in Greek Basketball League

Marcus Hammond, Lugano Tigers (Switzerland)

Jan 28, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Marcus Hammond (10) dribbles the ball against the Louisville Cardinals in the second half at the Purcell Pavilion. Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

22.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists a game

9.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists in NBL (Bulgaria)

Prentiss Hubb, Dolomiti Energia Trentino (Italy)

Feb 26, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Prentiss Hubb (3) dribbles in the second half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at the Purcell Pavilion. Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

11.4 points, 1.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists a game

8.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists a game in EuroCup

Nate Laszewski, Happy Casa Brindisi (Italy)

Dec 7, 2022; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Nate Laszewski (14) drives to the basket as Boston University Terriers forward Malcolm Chimezie (3) defends in the first half at the Purcell Pavilion. Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.8 assists a game

John Mooney, Chiba Jets (Japan)

Jan 4, 2020; Syracuse, New York, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward John Mooney (33) shoots a free throw against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

17.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists a game

21.7 points, 15.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists a game in East Asia Super League

Tyrone Nash, Al Ahli Sports Club (Qatar)

Mar 10, 2011; New York, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Tyrone Nash (1) during the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the third round of the Big East Tournament held at Madison Square Garden. Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

13.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists a game

Trey Wertz, KK TFT Skopje (North Macedonia)

Jan 7, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Trey Wertz (3) looks on against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Dean E. Smith Center. James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

10.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists a game

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