Brace yourself: Notre Dame basketball's future might hinge on the development of a sophomore you barely noticed last year. We're talking about Cole Certa, the shooting guard who could become a pivotal player for the Fighting Irish in the 2025-26 season. Let's dive into what makes this player one to watch.
The chill of winter and the roar of the crowd inside Purcell Pavilion are just around the corner, signaling the start of another thrilling college basketball season. To get you fully prepped for the Notre Dame squad hitting the court, starting Monday, November 3rd at home versus LIU Brooklyn, we're rolling out an in-depth, player-by-player preview of the 2025-26 team. Over the next few weeks (from Wednesday, October 15th, through Friday, October 31st), we'll be giving you the lowdown on each player: who they are, what they accomplished last season, how they fit into the team's plans, and what Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry expects from them.
Let's kick things off with a closer look at Cole Certa.
(5) Cole Certa
- Hometown (High School): Le Roy, Illinois (IMG Academy)
- Dimensions: 6-foot-5, 200 pounds
- Projected Position: Backup Shooting Guard
- Class: Sophomore
Notable Number: Here's a stat that hints at Certa's potential: Eight out of the ten 3-pointers he drained during his freshman year came in the final eight games of the season. This suggests a player who was gaining momentum and confidence as the year progressed. But here's where it gets controversial... does a late-season surge really indicate long-term growth, or could it simply be a hot streak?
24-25 Stats: As a freshman, Certa averaged 2.5 points, 0.2 rebounds, and 0.2 assists in 8.0 minutes per game across 18 appearances. His shooting percentages were .300 from the field and .278 from beyond the arc. Interestingly, he led the team in free-throw percentage, hitting an impressive .917 (11-of-12) from the charity stripe. This suggests he possesses a reliable shooting touch, especially under pressure. This is a low sample size, though, so it's hard to draw firm conclusions.
25-26 Outlook: The expectation for Certa is clear: build upon the positive momentum he established late last season in terms of confidence, shot-making ability, and overall contribution. For much of the first three months, Certa saw very limited playing time. However, he emerged as a significant contributor, starting with the home victory over Pittsburgh. In that game, he exploded for 12 points, including three crucial 3-pointers, in just 12 minutes of action. Over the final seven games, he demonstrated a knack for taking – and making – clutch shots, showcasing the talent that made him such a highly-regarded recruit. Now, the challenge is to continue that upward trajectory. Can he consistently perform at that level?
Shrewsberry on Certa: "Cole never loses confidence. That’s the one thing I’ll say about him. He’s the most confident guy that we’ve got. He’s stronger; he’s moving better. He’s shooting the ball great. He’s ready to make another step in his game.” This is high praise from the coach, suggesting that Certa has been putting in the work and is poised for a breakout season. And this is the part most people miss... Shrewsberry's confidence in Certa could translate to more playing time, which in turn could lead to a significant increase in his production. Will he be a starter?
What do you think? Does Cole Certa have the potential to become a key player for Notre Dame? Or are expectations too high based on a small sample size? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
