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Notre Dame makes top five for Nevada transfer big man Nick Davidson

IMG_7504by:Jack Soble•03/30/25•

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Nick Davidson
Nevada transfer F/C Nick Davidson (Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

Notre Dame has made Nevada transfer big man Nick Davidson‘s top five, his agent told On3’s Joe Tipton.

Davidson is the No. 18 player and No. 3 center in the transfer portal, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. The Irish will compete for his services with Virginia, Washington, Texas and Clemson. He’s represented by KJ Smith.

Blue & Gold reported Wednesday that Davidson and Notre Dame had mutual interest, as the 6-foot-10 senior out of Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei had heard from approximately 30 schools. Notably, those schools included blue bloods in Kentucky, Louisville and North Carolina, who were not included in his top five.

While Blue & Gold has yet to confirm that Davidson has scheduled a visit, his high school coach at Mater Dei, Gary McKnight, said he plans to make the trip to South Bend early this week.

Davidson averaged 15.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 blocks per game this past season with the Wolfpack while shooting 37.1 percent from three-point range. He will be a graduate transfer — he redshirted his freshman season at Nevada — which makes it significantly easier for the Irish to take him.

According to McKnight, Davidson recently spoke with former Notre Dame guard and fellow Mater Dei alum Rex Pflueger. Pflueger, who played five years with the Irish and started 88 games from 2015-20, tried to help recruit Davidson to the Irish.

“Rex Pflueger really put in some good vibes for him,” McKnight said. “Talked to him about his experience there.”

HS coach breaks down Notre Dame transfer target Nick Davidson

Davidson stands out just as much off the court as he does on the court, McKnight told Blue & Gold.

Coming from a Catholic family with two younger brothers — one of whom made the NCAA Tournament as a reserve freshman forward at Montana — Davidson was involved in campus ministry at Mater Dei. He also volunteered at Special Olympics.

“He’s just a tremendous individual,” McKnight said. “He’d be a great representative for Notre Dame.”

On the court, McKnight lauded Davidson’s intelligence and work ethic. He profiles as a versatile forward/center; the Nevada transfer can catch the ball in the post and go get a bucket or step out and drill a three-pointer from the wing. He’s also a skilled passer at the five, which Notre Dame needs to make its offense work to its full potential.

“He knows everything that’s going on on the floor, he can direct traffic and he’s a good leader,” McKnight said. “He was always a tremendous rebounder. He’s strong. He’s got a great body. But he really worked hard on his outside shot and finishing inside.”

Davidson’s skill set is worth its weight in gold on the open market. His recruitment is hotly contested. But the Irish are in his top five.

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