When JR Konieczny hit the transfer portal, Florida Gulf Coast coaches reached out to him immediately and let him know how much they wanted him.

On Monday, Konieczny told Sports Michiana he was thrilled to announce his commitment to FGCU.

“I wanted to be somewhere where I could have an instant impact and a bigger role as a leader and a player,” Konieczny explained. “I was able to go down there and catch a spring workout and I liked the energy and intensity of the practice.”

Konieczny will depart South Bend next month with his Notre Dame degree and one year of eligibility remaining.

The 6-7 guard was a superstar at Saint Joseph High School in South Bend, ending his prep career as the all-time leading scorer in St. Joseph County history with 1,996 points (he’s since been passed by Markus Burton and his younger brother Chase).

He went to Notre Dame where he played in just seven games as a freshman and then redshirted as a sophomore. A new coaching staff arrived before his junior season.

As that junior season was set to start, Konieczny spoke with me in depth about his struggles and how his friends at Notre Dame and his faith got him through some difficult times. He was every appreciative of new head coach Micah Shrewsberry giving him a new opportunity. JR started 19 games that season, averaging 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds a game. But his role diminished this last season as he started just four games and averaged 4.3 points per game.

“This last year I want to get pushed to be the best version of myself on the court and get back to the confident high school JR,” he said. “I feel like I will be able to do that in [FGCU’s} system and hopefully compete for a conference championship and make it to the dance as well.”

Florida Gulf Coast won 19 games last season under coach Pat Chambers. They last made it to the NCAA Tournament in 2017. They reached the Sweet 16 in 2013.