Hannah Hidalgo’s rise to the top of women’s college basketball has been meteoric, electric, and nothing short of unforgettable. As a freshman guard for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, she entered the national stage with high expectations—and somehow managed to exceed them all. Now, in a historic moment for both her and the program, Hidalgo has been named the Sporting News National Player of the Year, a testament to her rare blend of talent, work ethic, leadership, and impact.
From her very first game in the Notre Dame uniform, Hidalgo made it clear she wasn’t just another promising recruit—she was a generational talent. With her lightning-quick first step, aggressive defensive play, and fearless approach to scoring, she took command of the court in ways that left crowds gasping and analysts scrambling for comparisons. She didn’t wait to find her footing at the collegiate level; she seized control immediately. The pressure of being the face of a top-tier program? She embraced it, elevating her team with every possession.
Her statistics told one story—one of dominance and consistency. Averaging over 22 points per game, nearly 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and a staggering number of steals per contest, she wasn’t just a scorer or a defender; she was a complete, game-changing force. She dictated tempo, locked down the opposition’s best player, and made the kind of high-IQ decisions normally seen in veteran point guards. But the numbers only scratched the surface of her influence.
It was her presence that separated her. In critical games against elite programs—UConn, South Carolina, Stanford—Hidalgo rose to the occasion. She didn’t shrink under the spotlight; she relished it. Fans, coaches, and fellow players alike took notice. In a league filled with future WNBA stars and Hall of Fame coaches, it was the freshman from New Jersey who often looked like the most composed, most fearless, and most talented player on the floor.
Her style of play was magnetic. She combined the intensity of a seasoned pro with the joy of a backyard baller. Her defense was relentless—diving for loose balls, harassing ball handlers, turning defense into instant offense. On the other end, she sliced through defenses with precision, finishing through contact, pulling up with confidence, and delivering dimes that left teammates wide-eyed and grateful. Watching her play was like watching a masterclass in effort and execution wrapped into one.
But what truly set Hannah Hidalgo apart in her Player of the Year campaign was her leadership. Despite her youth, she became the emotional center of the Notre Dame team. She led with energy, with communication, and with resilience. When her team was down, she never hung her head. When things got tense, she never flinched. Instead, she became the one to initiate the comeback, to put the team on her back, and to make the big play when it mattered most.
Her relationship with Head Coach Niele Ivey also played a critical role in her success. Ivey, a former star guard at Notre Dame herself and one of the most respected minds in the game, helped guide Hidalgo’s raw talent into structured brilliance. Their shared understanding of what it means to lead a program like Notre Dame created an unbreakable bond. Ivey gave Hidalgo the freedom to be herself on the court while instilling the discipline and structure needed to thrive at the highest level. Their synergy became a blueprint for success.
Off the court, Hidalgo remained humble and grounded. Despite the fame, the accolades, and the national spotlight, she never lost sight of her roots. Her interviews were filled with gratitude—toward her coaches,
