Oct. 27, 2015

NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Seniors Zach Auguste (Marlborough, Massachusetts) and Austin Burgett (Avon, Indiana), as well as junior Demetrius Jackson (Mishawka, Indiana) have been elected captains for the 2015-16 University of Notre Dame men’s basketball campaign. Each will be serving as a first-time captain within the program.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to have these three guys leading our squad this year,” head coach Mike Brey says. “All three bring a different style of leadership that is going to benefit our team during the course of the season. They are three players who have the utmost respect of our coaching staff and players. I am excited to watch them grow into their roles and lead our team.”

Auguste had a breakout season for the Irish as Notre Dame’s second-leading scorer (12.9 ppg.) and rebounder (6.5 rpg.). Named to the 2015 NCAA Championship Midwest Region All-Tournament Team, he scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds in 27 minutes in the 68-66 loss to top-ranked Kentucky in the Midwest Region championship tilt. He averaged 16.8 ppg and 8.3 rpg. in four NCAA tournament games for the Irish last season, as he helped his squad to its first Elite Eight appearance since 1979.

Auguste netted double-figures 28 times and topped the 20-point mark on five occasions. He grabbed 10-plus rebounds in five outings and registered a career-best four double-doubles. Auguste begins the season as one of 20 players named to the 2016 Kareen Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award Watch List. The honor, presented by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame recognizes the top centers in men’s college basketball.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Zach and how he has grown in our program,” Brey says. “Since the end of last season, he has taken real ownership as a leader and made sure that he has the pulse of every guy on our team. Zach organizes team gatherings that has helped build unity within our team.”

One of five Indiana natives on the Irish roster this season, Burgett played in 20 contests during his junior season and has seen action in 68 contests overall (five of them starts) in his three seasons. A year ago, he averaged 1.7 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. As a sophomore, he had his best season in a Notre Dame uniform when he netted 3.0 ppg. and 1.8 rpg., while playing in 28 contests and earning five starts.

“Austin has upheld the standards of our program and has been a real team player,” Brey says. “He comes each day to practice looking for ways to help us get better as a team. He’s been an important resource for the younger players on our squad and has guided them throughout their career. This is a well-deserved recognition for him from his teammates.”

Jackson got the nod as Notre Dame’s starting point guard in all 38 contests last season and averaged 12.4 ppg., 3.6 rpg., 3.1 aspg. and 1.6 spg, in 34.7 minutes per game. He led the Irish in scoring in six contests and registered double-figure scoring efforts in 30 contests. Jackson netted 20 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished off four assists in Notre Dame’s 81-70 win over Wichita State in the regional semifinals that marked the fourth 20-point scoring effort of the season and in his career.

Jackson netted a career-high 22 points in wins over Michigan State and Purdue, grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds against Boston College and dished off a personal-best eight assists in Notre Dame’s 69-65 win over Northeastern in the second round of the NCAA Championship. He also was named to the ACC all-tournament second team. Jackson averaged 11.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.3 assists in Notre Dame’s four games during the NCAA Championship.

Jackson is among 20 candidates for the 2016 Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award presented by the College of the Holy Cross and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The award recognizes the nation’s top point guard in Division I men’s basketball.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Demetrius and the growth and maturity that he has displayed over the last two seasons,” Brey says. “He has been fabulous for us as a leaders and a real voice for us on the court and in the locker room. Demetrius understands the responsibility he has leading this team and I know that he is ready to embrace it.”

— by Bernadette Cafarelli, Assistant Athletics Director