In a testament to her burgeoning talent and remarkable impact on the collegiate basketball scene, Notre Dame’s dynamic guard Hannah Hidalgo has earned a coveted spot on the USA Basketball Women’s AmeriCup Team Trials roster. This invitation signifies a crucial step in her international basketball journey and underscores her standing as one of the most exciting young players in the world. The trials are set to begin on June 17, 2025, at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
Hidalgo’s inclusion on this prestigious list of 21 athletes is no surprise to those who have followed her meteoric rise. A standout since her freshman year at Notre Dame, she has consistently demonstrated an elite skill set, combining dazzling offensive prowess with tenacious, game-changing defense.
Hannah Hidalgo entered Notre Dame as a highly-touted recruit and immediately lived up to the hype.
- Freshman Season (2023-2024): Hidalgo had a historic freshman campaign, earning numerous accolades. She was named the ACC Rookie of the Year and, notably, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, a rare feat for a first-year player. She also secured First-Team All-ACC honors and was a WBCA Coaches’ All-American. Her defensive tenacity was particularly noteworthy, as she led NCAA Division I in steals. She finished the season averaging 22.6 points per game.
- Sophomore Season (2024-2025): Hidalgo continued to build on her phenomenal start. She was named the ACC Player of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year once again, demonstrating remarkable consistency and growth. She earned back-to-back AP First-Team All-America honors in both her freshman and sophomore seasons, becoming just the fourth player in NCAA history to achieve this distinction (joining elite company like USC’s JuJu Watkins, UConn’s Maya Moore, and Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris). She averaged an impressive 23.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 3.7 steals per game in her sophomore year, setting a new program single-season record for points per game.
- USA Basketball Experience: Hidalgo is no stranger to the international stage. She has a proven track record of success with USA Basketball youth teams, already boasting multiple gold medals:
- 2022 FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup: Gold medalist.
- 2023 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup: Gold medalist and named to the All-Tournament Team.
- 2023 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year: This prestigious award, which she won prior to enrolling at Notre Dame, recognized her outstanding performances across all USA Basketball events, highlighting her exceptional talent and future potential.
The FIBA Women’s AmeriCup is a significant international tournament that serves as a qualifier for the FIBA Women’s World Cup. The 2025 AmeriCup is scheduled to take place from June 28 to July 6, 2025, in Santiago, Chile. The winner of the tournament will earn a berth to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin.
For Hidalgo, participating in the AmeriCup trials offers several key opportunities:
- Elevated Competition: The trials bring together 21 of the top collegiate and emerging professional players in the United States. Competing against this caliber of talent will push Hidalgo to further hone her skills, adapt to different playing styles, and demonstrate her ability to perform at the highest levels of international basketball.
- Exposure to National Team Coaching: The trials will be led by USA Basketball Women’s AmeriCup Team head coach Kara Lawson (Duke head coach), alongside assistant coaches Jennie Baranczyk (Oklahoma head coach) and DeLisha Milton-Jones (Old Dominion head coach). Working with and learning from such accomplished coaches will be invaluable for Hidalgo’s development.
- Pathway to Future USA Basketball Teams: Earning a spot on the AmeriCup roster is a stepping stone to potentially joining senior USA Basketball teams in the future, including Olympic and World Cup squads. It demonstrates a player’s commitment to representing their country and their ability to integrate into a national team system.
- Versatility and Adaptability: International basketball often features different rules and officiating nuances compared to the NCAA. The trials and the AmeriCup tournament itself will require players to quickly adapt their game, showcasing their versatility and basketball IQ.
- Building Chemistry with Elite Peers: Hidalgo will have the chance to train and potentially compete alongside fellow collegiate stars like Olivia Miles (her former Notre Dame teammate, now at TCU), Madison Booker (Texas), Joyce Edwards (South Carolina), Flau’jae Johnson (LSU), and Hannah Stuelke (Iowa), among others. Building chemistry with these top players could be beneficial for future USA Basketball endeavors.
Hidalgo’s game translates exceptionally well to the international style of play, which often emphasizes quick guards, strong defense, and transition offense.
- Elite Defense: Her disruptive defense, particularly her ability to generate steals and create turnovers, is a major asset. In international play, where every possession is crucial, a player who can consistently turn defense into offense is invaluable.
- Aggressive Offense: Hidalgo’s fearless attacking of the basket, combined with her improved shooting touch, makes her a constant threat. Her ability to score in various ways will be crucial for Team USA’s offensive flow.
- Playmaking: While known for her scoring, Hidalgo also possesses excellent court vision and passing ability, consistently setting up teammates for easy scores. Her versatility as a combo guard allows her to contribute both as a scorer and a facilitator.
- Leadership and Experience: Despite her relatively young age (she will be a rising junior), Hidalgo has already amassed significant experience in high-pressure situations, both in college and with USA Basketball youth teams. Her competitive drive and leadership qualities will be beneficial in a team setting.
Following the trials, the coaching staff will select the final 12-player roster for the 2025 USA Women’s AmeriCup Team. The team will then embark on a final training camp before traveling to Santiago, Chile. The U.S. will compete in Group B against host nation Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
Hannah Hidalgo’s invitation to the USA Basketball Women’s AmeriCup Team Trials is a clear recognition of her status as one of the brightest young stars in women’s basketball. It’s an opportunity to further solidify her place on the international stage and continue her development against the best competition. For Notre Dame fans, it’s a source of immense pride, watching their star guard represent the country on a global platform, poised to make an even greater impact in the years to come.
