In a move that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, **Notre Dame** has landed the commitment of **the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit**, five-star forward **Jayden Washington**, a monumental win for second-year head coach **Micah Shrewsberry** and a major boost for the Fighting Irish’s future.
Washington, a 6-foot-9, 225-pound power forward from Chicago’s powerhouse Simeon High School, chose Notre Dame over elite programs like **Duke**, **Kentucky**, **Kansas**, and **UConn**. Widely regarded as the most complete player in the 2025 class, Washington has a rare combination of size, skill, athleticism, and basketball IQ. His ability to stretch the floor, rebound at a high level, and defend multiple positions makes him a projected top NBA lottery pick in the future.
“Notre Dame felt like home,” Washington said in a nationally televised commitment announcement. “Coach Shrewsberry’s vision for me, on and off the court, was something no one else could match. I want to build something special and bring a championship to South Bend.”
The commitment is one of the biggest in program history. Not since the days of Troy Murphy and Jerian Grant has Notre Dame landed a recruit of Washington’s caliber, and his decision signals that the Fighting Irish are no longer a sleeping giant, but a legitimate contender in the national landscape.
Shrewsberry, who came to Notre Dame after a successful stint at Penn State, has made it clear he intends to rebuild the Irish into a perennial power. His NBA-style offensive system and emphasis on player development resonated deeply with Washington and his family.
“Jayden is a special talent, but more importantly, he’s a special person,” Shrewsberry said. “He’s a leader, a competitor, and he wants to win. We’re going to do amazing things together.”
Washington’s commitment could open the floodgates for Notre Dame on the recruiting trail. Already in pursuit of several other top-50 prospects in the 2025 class, the Fighting Irish now have the attention of recruits across the country. It also brings a spotlight back to a program that has been rebuilding in recent years, and with Washington as the centerpiece, Notre Dame could quickly return to national prominence.
As the Irish faithful celebrate the arrival of a generational talent, one thing is certain — Notre Dame basketball just took a massive step forward. And with Jayden Washington leading the charge, South Bend might soon become one of college basketball’s hottest destinations.