Cole Certa breaks down Northwestern, Notre Dame, Illinois

Cole Certa averaged over 26 points per game this high school season, leading his Bloomington (IL) Central Catholic team to a birth in the Illinois 2A state championship game. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard has carried that touch over to travel ball as he scored 18.8 points for the Illinois Wolves program during the first session of the Under Armour Next Circuit.

“I’m a team guy first, and I try to make the right play all the time,” Certa told On3. “I can pass, shoot, and dribble. I’ve gotten bigger and stronger over the past few months, which has helped my game a lot. I watch a lot of Steph Curry and JJ Reddick with how they move and how much they move on the court.”

On3 caught up with Cole Certa after a recent live viewing to dive into his recruitment.

Certa talks recruitment

“I haven’t been on any official visits yet,” Certa said. ‘But I have taken unofficial visits to Notre Dame, Northwestern, and Illinois.”

Illinois: “They’re a very good team. They value shooting, so that is something I would bring to them. I’m a team guy. They’re close to home, so I’ve gone over there a couple of times. It’s been fun.”

Notre Dame: “I just took a visit there last week, and that’s when Coach (Micah) Shrewsberry re-offered me. I enjoyed just bonding with the coaches up there. My relationship with the coaches is something that I’m really going to look into when I commit. I loved it up there.

“He really likes guys who are skilled, guys who can pass, dribble, and shoot. Coach says he likes that I can do that.”

Northwestern: “They really value their guards. They use them a lot and give them the freedom to make decisions. I feel like I fit in with that. I loved the lake right there beside the campus. Everything there was pretty cool.”

In Certa’s words

“I probably going to look to set a couple of visits after this April live period,” Certa said. “I might try and go visit a couple of schools that haven’t offered yet, but I’ll definitely set up visits with Illinois, Notre Dame, and Northwestern.

“The relationship piece will be huge for me. I’m big into that, and it’s something I’ll really be looking at. I want to go to a school that can trust in me and believe in me. And coaches that I believe in.”