Notre Dame Takes Massive Hit in Transfer Portal

We knew it was coming for Notre Dame basketball, and on Thursday, it became official.

Notre Dame is officially losing Jalen Haralson to the transfer portal, yet another exit for the Fighting Irish basketball program.

Haralson was a standout freshman for Notre Dame this year, averaging 16.2 points and four rebounds per game. He played in 27 games total, starting 23.

He was named as an All-ACC honorable mention for his efforts.

Haralson came to Notre Dame after being named a McDonald's All-American as a high school senior. He starred at La Lumiere School in Andersonville, Indiana, and was ranked as the 20th overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class by On3 Sports.

For Notre Dame, it's a massive hit, but only one of multiple more that are reportedly coming.

According to longtime Notre Dame basketball beat reporter Tom Noie, point guard Markus Burton and leading scorer Cole Certa have both informed the coaching staff that they'll also be entering the transfer portal.

A voice of reason speaks. Thank you, Mr. Freeman.

It also won't be "breaking news" when Markus Burton and Cole Certa officially hit the transfer portal. Both have told the @NDmbb staff that they are also moving on. That was reported last week. https://t.co/xTkVFyYtjs
— Tom Noie (@tnoieNDI) April 2, 2026

Nick Shepkowski's Quick Thoughts

It's a dark time for Notre Dame basketball and there isn't an end in sight.

These days in college sports, athletic programs have to decide what they're going to be. Are you going to be a football school? Or are you going to cut fundraising in other sports in order to fuel the football operation?

It might not be quite as simple as that but that's the basics of the situation. Although the Notre Dame fencing team remains dominant, we haven't seen others maintain the level of play previous to NIL becoming so big.

The baseball team went through a coaching change in recent years which is part of the issue, but it hasn't been the same or able to keep some of its best players in recent years.

Women's basketball has been good, but not as great as it was, even after an impressive run to the Elite Eight this season.

I'm not saying I'd do anything different, because as much as people want to talk academics, nothing has done more for the University of Notre Dame historically than the football team being great. However, that comes with a cost as eventually there isn't money to go around for all sports.

We're seeing that with the men's basketball team and while we await Burton and Certa to join the growing list officially in the transfer portal, it doesn't appear that Notre Dame will be getting out of these dark days on the hardwood anytime soon.