Chris Quinn Talks About Notre Dame Chris Thomas

For most seniors, playing in the Slam Dunk to the Beach Tournament is a validation of a terrific high school career.

But for point guard Chris Quinn of Dublin Coffman H.S. in Dublin, Ohio, the experience was more of a proving ground of sorts.

While most well known high school seniors have already proven their mettle on the spring and summer basketball circuit, Quinn was a little less known quantity. That's because he was out with an injury and did not play during the summer.

Quinn was invited to the adidas ABCD Camp, but was only able to attend as a spectator. He played with both Jerry Watson's All-Ohio program and Bobby Kortsen's during the past year.

And because he was not seen by many scouts or coaches, the Notre Dame bound senior floor general did not get ranked highly by many recruiting services.

"With me being out this summer, it hurt me as far as a national rep," Quinn said. "Nobody really knew about me because they did not get to see me play much."

"This event is something I've been looking forward to for a long time so I can kind of get some exposure," Quinn continued. "Trying to represent Ohio, I thought it was a good place for me to showcase my play."

Quinn had to get an extra bone in his foot surgically removed in the summer, and it kept him on the shelf for two months.

Back in the spring, Quinn traveled with Kortsen to Italy for a basketball trip, and that's where the foot injury was re-aggravated.

Quinn was often spectacular at the Slam Dunk to the Beach, nearly leading Dublin Coffman to the title of the Tip-Off Classic.

In a head to head battle with Salem H.S. of Virginia, he outplayed Maryland bound point guard John Gilchrist, racking up 29 points, six assists and no turnovers. He connected on five of nine three pointers in that win.

In a 75-72 loss to Charlestown H.S. of Massachusetts in the title game of the Tip-Off bracket, Quinn collected 14 points, seven assists and just two turnovers in the Shamrocks' Princeton style attack.

"I think my court awareness is very good, knowing where everybody is out on the floor," Quinn said. "As well as my shooting -- I can make defenses extend and make other players around me better."

Still, Quinn feels there are other parts of his game that will need refinement for the Big East level.

"For the Big East, I'd like to work on my defense, especially putting pressure on the ball," he said. "I think my ball handling and quickness help me handle the pressure when I am on offense."

Quinn looks forward to playing alongside current Irish freshman Chris Thomas at Notre Dame next year.

"I think we complement each other well," Quinn said. "Similar to Jason Williams and Chris Duhon, maybe not to that extent. But playing us together could be a great option with two ball handling guards, both of us making decisions and even playing him off the ball a little bit and letting me distribute it so that he can get more shots."