ND-WH’s Raines chooses Texas Rio Grande Valley

Connor Raines, a standout senior guard for the Notre Dame-West Haven basketball team, has verbally committed to play for Division I Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Raines, a 6-foot-6, 190pound guard, also mulled over offers from Central Connecticut State, Iona and Hartford before choosing the program that plays out of the Western Athletic Conference. Raines committed on Friday, the day he started his weekend unofficial visit.

“I was thinking about doing it (committing) before (the visit),” Raines said. “But I wanted to see the campus, and the visit made me love it even more. The coaching staff and players made me feel comfortable and feel like it was home.”

Most of Raines’ family lives in Dallas, so attending Texas Rio Grande Valley will sort of feel like home, albeit a long drive from the southern end of the state. Raines currently lives in Beacon Falls.

Rains said he will sign a national letter of intent in November.

“Connor has been a great student-athlete at Notre Dame and I could not be more happy and proud for him to have a Division I scholarship opportunity,” Notre Dame coach Jason Shea said.

Raines said he loves the fast-paced, trapping style that the team employs under coach Lew Hill.

“I’m so excited, so happy. I can’t wait to play my last season at Notre Dame and then continue my career at Texas Rio Grande Valley,” Raines said.

Raines