Cole Certa’s rise is real: Notre Dame’s breakout shot-maker turned portal prize
In the 2025-26 season, Cole Certa went from a 2.5-point role player to a high-volume ACC breakout, averaging 12.8 points overall and 16.1 in conference play, with a career-best nine straight double-digit games to finish the year.[1][2] What makes him pop is the quick-trigger confidence and catch-and-shoot firepower that can bend defenses, plus enough size at 6-foot-5 to survive on the wing; the knock is that he’s still more scorer than all-around engine, but that’s exactly why he’s an intriguing fit if a team needs instant perimeter offense.[1][2][3]
