Notre Dame scores talented combo forward

When Eric Katenda went to bed on Monday night he was leaning towards Wake Forest. By Tuesday morning, he'd changed his mind and decided that Notre Dame was the right place for him in college.

After spending the past few weeks going back and forth between Wake and Notre Dame, the 6-foot-8 combo forward from Bel Aire (Kan.) Sunrise Christian Academy felt the most comfortable with Mike Brey and the Irish.

"I just think in the end he felt the stability at Notre Dame was really important," said Katenda's high school coach Kyle Lindsted. "They've been at the top, they plan on being at the top and Coach Brey has been there and turned down chances to leave."

Additionally, the draw of competing in the Big East was huge for Katenda.

"He loves that Big East," said Lindsted. "He loves the idea of playing in the Garden for their tournament so I can't blame him that."

A versatile three-star prospect, Katenda is a combo forward who can play both inside and out.

"Eric is in a unique situation because he's so skilled," said Lindsted. "He's a little a thin to play the four or five, but he can also play the three at a high level. Until he can put on that weight, he's going to have the skill to be the kind of kid to grab the ball off the rim and push it down the floor and dunk it. If somebody stops him, he'll make a good pass."