The University of Notre Dame has made a bold move to revitalize its men's and women's basketball teams, turning to a basketball legend to lead the charge. The school announced on Tuesday that former Fighting Irish basketball star Pat Garrity has been named the school's general manager for both teams.
Garrity played for Notre Dame from 1994 to 1998, where he averaged 18.8 points and seven rebounds per game. He was named the Big East Player of the Year in 1997, but the school never reached the NCAA tournament during his time there. After an excellent 1997-98 season, in which he averaged 23.2 points, Garrity was selected as the No. 19 overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks. He never played for the Bucks, but was traded to the Dallas Mavericks with Dirk Nowitzki. Garrity then played out his rookie season with the Phoenix Suns before being traded to the Orlando Magic. He played out the rest of his 10-year NBA career with the Magic, averaging 7.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.
After his playing career, Garrity returned to the NBA as an executive, spending a few seasons as the Detroit Pistons' assistant general manager before leaving in 2020. In a statement on Tuesday, Garrity called Notre Dame his "second home," saying, "I’m thrilled to be returning to Notre Dame. At every point in my career and life, Notre Dame has always been a second home for me and my family. The University has shaped who I am, and its values resonate deeply within me."
Garrity faces two very different tasks managing both the men's and women's teams. The women's team finished 28-6 last season, earning a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament and advancing to the Sweet 16 before losing to TCU. The team lost Sonia Citron in the WNBA Draft, but still features Hannah Hidalgo, one of the best players in college basketball. With Hidalgo around, Notre Dame is expected to be a force next season.
Getting the men's side back on track might prove far more difficult. The men finished 15-18 last season, good for ninth place in the ACC. The team most recently appeared in the NCAA tournament in 2022 as a No. 11 seed, winning its first round game against Alabama before falling to Texas Tech in the second round.
With Garrity at the helm, Notre Dame is hoping to turn things around for both its men's and women's basketball teams. Garrity brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from his playing days and his time as an executive in the NBA, and he is eager to put that experience to work for Notre Dame. The future of both teams is bright with Garrity at the helm, and fans are excited to see what he can accomplish with his "second home."
