Notre Dame Basketball Loses Top Scorers to Injuries Ahead of Duke Matchup

Markus Burton, Jalen Haralson, and other key players will miss the game against the top-ranked Blue Devils.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 7:22pm

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Notre Dame's men's basketball team will be without its two leading scorers, Markus Burton and Jalen Haralson, as well as several other injured players, when they take on No. 1 Duke on Tuesday. Burton, a preseason All-ACC selection, has been out since December with an ankle injury, while Haralson, the team's second-leading scorer as a freshman, recently suffered an ankle injury. The Fighting Irish will also be missing senior forward Kebba Njie and freshman center Tommy Ahneman, both of whom are dealing with season-ending injuries.

Why it matters

Notre Dame has struggled this season, sitting at just 12-15 overall and 3-11 in ACC play. Losing their top two scorers is a major blow as they prepare to face the top-ranked Blue Devils, who are led by national player of the year candidate Cam Boozer. The injuries have made an already difficult season even more challenging for coach Micah Shrewsberry and the Fighting Irish.

The details

Markus Burton, a junior guard, was expected to play a key role for Notre Dame this season after being named to the preseason All-ACC first team. However, he has been limited to just 10 games due to a left ankle injury and hasn't played since December 5th. When healthy, Burton was leading the team with 18.5 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Freshman guard Jalen Haralson, Notre Dame's second-leading scorer at 15.5 points per game, has also been sidelined with an ankle injury suffered on February 10th. Additionally, senior forward Kebba Njie and freshman center Tommy Ahneman are both out for the season with knee injuries.

  • Markus Burton has been out since December 5th.
  • Jalen Haralson has missed the last two games after suffering his ankle injury on February 10th.
  • Kebba Njie has been out since January 13th.
  • Tommy Ahneman has not played at all this season.

The players

Markus Burton

A junior guard who was named to the preseason All-ACC first team and was expected to play a key role for Notre Dame this season, but has been limited to just 10 games due to a left ankle injury.

Jalen Haralson

A freshman guard who is Notre Dame's second-leading scorer at 15.5 points per game, but has missed the last two games with an ankle injury.

Kebba Njie

A senior forward who was a starter for Notre Dame the past two seasons, but has seen his role diminish this year and is now out for the season with a knee injury.

Tommy Ahneman

A freshman center who has not played at all this season due to a knee injury.

Micah Shrewsberry

The head coach of the Notre Dame men's basketball team, who is in his third season leading the Fighting Irish.

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What they’re saying

“It's 'highly unlikely' Burton plays again this season, as it would eliminate the possibility of getting a medical waiver for another year of eligibility.”

— Micah Shrewsberry, Head Coach

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Notre Dame's injury woes have made an already difficult season even more challenging, as they will be severely undermanned when they take on the top-ranked Duke Blue Devils. The Fighting Irish will need to find a way to compete without their two leading scorers, Markus Burton and Jalen Haralson, as well as several other key players.