The basketball world is buzzing with the announcement that Notre Dame sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo has been named the Sporting News National Player of the Year, capping off a spectacular season that has redefined expectations for the young phenom. At just 19 years old, Hidalgo has become the youngest recipient of this prestigious award in over a decade, a testament to her immediate and profound impact on college basketball this season. The dynamic 5’6″ guard from Camden, New Jersey took the ACC by storm, averaging 23.4 points, 6.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and an NCAA-leading 4.8 steals per game while spearheading Notre Dame’s return to national championship contention. Her selection marks the first time a Notre Dame women’s player has earned Sporting News’ top honor since Skylar Diggins in 2013, bridging a decade-long gap and cementing her place among the program’s all-time greats.
Hidalgo’s path to this moment has been nothing short of extraordinary. After arriving in South Bend as the nation’s No. 4 overall recruit, she immediately assumed leadership of a Fighting Irish squad in transition following the graduation of several key players. What followed was one of the most remarkable individual seasons in recent memory, as Hidalgo displayed a complete offensive arsenal combined with relentless defensive intensity that became her signature. Her ability to take over games manifested early, with a 34-point outburst against Tennessee in November signaling her arrival on the national stage. By conference play, Hidalgo had established herself as the most unstoppable force in women’s basketball, scoring at least 20 points in 22 consecutive games while routinely locking down opponents’ best perimeter players.
The statistics only tell part of Hidalgo’s incredible story. Beyond the gaudy numbers lies a competitor whose will to win has elevated everyone around her. Teammates describe her as the first in the gym and the last to leave, with a work ethic that borders on obsession. Head coach Niele Ivey often marvels at Hidalgo’s “next-level basketball IQ,” noting how the sophomore routinely makes adjustments mid-game that even veteran coaches don’t spot until film review. This cerebral approach, combined with elite athleticism and a seemingly endless motor, has made Hidalgo the most complete guard in college basketball—a player capable of impacting every possession on both ends of the floor.
Hidalgo’s defensive prowess deserves special recognition in this Player of the Year honor. In an era where offensive numbers typically dominate award conversations, her nation-leading steal total (156 and counting) and game-changing defensive plays forced voters to consider the complete picture. The sophomore set a Notre Dame single-season steals record by mid-February, often turning those takeaways into instant offense with her blazing end-to-end speed. Opposing coaches have spent all season trying—and failing—to devise schemes to slow her down, with many resorting to double-teams as soon as she crosses half court. Even these measures have proven largely ineffective against Hidalgo’s advanced ball-handling and court vision, as evidenced by her 2.3 assist-to-turnover ratio against top-25 opponents.
The Sporting News award holds particular significance as it comes directly from the nation’s basketball media, with voters recognizing Hidalgo’s value beyond just statistics. In crucial moments against ranked opponents, she elevated her game to new heights, averaging 26.1 points in matchups against top-25 teams. Her signature performance came in Notre Dame’s overtime thriller against ACC rival Virginia Tech, where she poured in 38 points while playing all 45 minutes and making the game-sealing steal in the final seconds. These heroics have become routine for Hidalgo, who has developed a reputation as the player you want with the ball when the game hangs in the balance.
What makes Hidalgo’s dominance especially impressive is how she’s achieved it within Notre Dame’s team construct. Unlike many star players who dominate possessions, Hidalgo excels within the flow of the offense, knowing precisely when to attack and when to facilitate. Her chemistry with teammates like freshman sensation Emma Risch and veteran forward Maddy Westbeld has created one of the nation’s most potent offenses, with the Irish averaging 86.3 points per game (third nationally). This unselfish approach, combined with her individual brilliance, made Hidalgo the clear choice for voters considering both statistical production and team success.
The historical context of Hidalgo’s achievement cannot be overstated. She becomes just the third sophomore ever to win the Sporting News Player of the Year, joining an exclusive club that includes basketball legends. At an age when most players are still adjusting to college basketball’s rigors, Hidalgo has redefined what’s possible for an underclassman. Her development under Ivey’s tutelage has been remarkable to witness, with noticeable improvements in her perimeter shooting (38% from three after shooting 29% as a freshman) and decision-making. NBA scouts already project her as a future WNBA lottery pick whenever she chooses to declare, with several comparing her two-way potential to that of Chelsea Gray or Courtney Vandersloot.
Off the court, Hidalgo has embraced her role as a leader and ambassador for the game. Her infectious personality and thoughtful engagement with fans have made her one of the most beloved figures in South Bend, while her commitment to community service (including weekly visits to local schools) demonstrates maturity beyond her years. This combination of on-court excellence and off-court character made her selection as Player of Year as much about who she is as how she plays.
As Notre Dame prepares for the NCAA Tournament, Hidalgo’s award provides additional momentum for a team peaking at the perfect time. The Fighting Irish enter March Madness as a projected No. 1 seed, with legitimate championship aspirations fueled by their superstar guard’s brilliance. Opponents will undoubtedly design entire game plans around stopping Hidalgo, but as 28 regular-season opponents have learned, there’s no true blueprint for containing a player of her unique gifts.
Looking ahead, Hidalgo’s Player of the Year honor may represent just the beginning of an awards haul that could include the Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy, and Nancy Lieberman Award (given to the nation’s top point guard). More importantly, it cements her legacy as one of the most exciting players in Notre Dame history—a dynamic force who has restored the program to national prominence while rewriting the record books along the way.
For Notre Dame fans, Hidalgo’s brilliance has been the gift that keeps giving. Every game brings another jaw-dropping move, another clutch basket, another defensive play that leaves opponents shaking their heads. Now, with Sporting News’ official recognition, the rest of the basketball world must acknowledge what those in South Bend have known all along: Hannah Hidalgo isn’t just the present of women’s college basketball—she’s its thrilling future. Congratulations to a player who has captivated audiences all season long, and who promises to shine even brighter when the lights are brightest this March. The Sporting News got it right—Hannah Hidalgo isn’t just Notre Dame’s best; she’s college basketball’s best, and her story is only just beginning.
