For Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame’s dynamic guard, every return to South Bend carries layers of nostalgia. Earlier this season, as the Fighting Irish hosted USC and UConn, alumni and fans flooded into Purcell Pavilion—players like Skylar Diggins‑Smith and Arike Ogunbowale returned. Among them, laughs, back‑slaps, and shared memories mingled with the unmistakable buzz: the prodigal was back.
When Hidalgo stepped onto the floor amidst this familiar sea of green and gold, you could feel something stirring in the arena: a recognition, a collective exhalation. For her, this wasn’t just another game. As she admitted later: “Coming back is more than basketball. It’s about history, home, legacy.”
This atmosphere seemed to energize her performance. At one particularly charged moment against UConn in December, she drained a corner three—then playfully counted off three fingers, soaking in the cheers from Notre Dame stalwarts in the stands ). It wasn’t a display of vanity—it was a nod to those who paved the way: legends like Diggins‑Smith, whose collegiate records she’s now rewriting .
During that UConn showdown—their first meeting since Hidalgo’s freshman 34‑point eruption—the reunited energy seemed to fuel the Irish. Hidalgo posted 29 points, and Coach Niele Ivey reflected, “She always wears her heart on her sleeve… I’m not at all shocked” (That performance didn’t just break opposition; it echoed through every alumni photograph and reunion handshake across South Bend.
In many ways, these games weren’t just rematches against rivals—they were emotional reunions with Notre Dame’s storied past and its shining present.
Niele Ivey has been a constant force in Notre Dame basketball, carving a path as a standout player, assistant coach, WNBA pro, NBA assistant, and now head coach. Her stewardship of Hidalgo—and the broader program—reflects decades of growth
But her mentorship of Hidalgo has been especially noteworthy. Early into Hidalgo’s freshman season, Ivey sensed something special. Hidalgo wasn’t just scoring—she was stealing, rebounding, facilitating. In January 2024, after Hidalgo notched seven ACC Rookie of the Week honors, Ivey praised her as “just such an amazing talent… beyond her years… top 10 in the country” (
That confidence has only deepened. After a crushing youth‑level defensive performance, Ivey remarked, “Hannah is relentless… fearless… she just loves to compete” . As Hidalgo continued to evolve, Ivey saw the outline of a future icon.
Perhaps no comparison carries more weight than the one Ivey drew between Hidalgo and Notre Dame legend Skylar Diggins‑Smith. “She was going to change the game,” Ivey said, remarking on Hidalgo’s freshman impact. It wasn’t a throwaway compliment—it was a challenge, one that Hidalgo answered.
A year later, on SportsCenter and ESPN, Ivey proclaimed, “She’s going to be the best player in the game… I’m excited that she’s going to be the face of women’s basketball… she’s earned it and deserves it” Her endorsement speaks volumes—coming from someone who nurtured champions like Diggins‑Smith, and now guiding Hidalgo into superstardom.
Ivey’s success isn’t limited to one player. Under her leadership, Notre Dame claimed ACC titles in 2023 and 2025, including the 2024 tournament crown where Hidalgo was MVP. These are team achievements steeped in Ivey’s culture of excellence—a standard Hidalgo fully embraces.
Off the court, Ivey’s own international résumé adds dimension. In June 2024, she served as assistant coach for the U18 USA team, guiding them to U18 AmeriCup gold and reinforcing her status as a mentor on the global stage Her international vision now dovetails perfectly with Hidalgo’s own ascent to USA Basketball stardom.
In mid‑June 2025, Notre Dame’s top guard traveled to Colorado Springs among 21 hopefuls vying for Team USA’s AmeriCup squad ( This wasn’t her first rodeo: Hidalgo had already earned gold medals with USA’s U17 and U19 teams and captured the USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year award in 2023
But this was different. This was a senior team, a medal that could propel the U.S. toward the 2026 FIBA World Cup berth—and bring global college basketball hype.
Rising to the Challenge
Across the three‑day trials, Hidalgo was, in a word, dominant. Her scoring efficiency, defensive intensity, and playmaking flair set her apart in every scrimmage. By June 19, it was official: she earned one of 12 spots on the AmeriCup Team
These trials marked a third stint of representing the USA at different levels—a trajectory that’s rare, even for elite players.
Heading to Santiago
In late June, Hidalgo will head to Santiago, Chile, joining a formidable U.S. roster that starts Group B play on June 28 against Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and Mexico (Victory here means qualification for the FIBA 2026 World Cup in Berlin—a global proving ground just as her college career peaks.
At Notre Dame, Hidalgo’s sophomore campaign (2024‑25) broke records left and right:
- 23.8 PPG, topping her freshman mark
- Averaged 3.7 steals per game, leading the ACC .
- Set school record for single-season steals (160)
- Reached 1000 career points in just 44 games—fastest in Notre Dame history
Add to that her national recognition—AP First-Team All-American (both years), ACC Defensive Player of the Year, ACC Player of the Year—and it’s clear why she’s viewed as indispensable .
Big-Game Performer
Hidalgo didn’t just put up numbers against overmatched opponents. She delivered when it mattered:
- 29 points vs UConn (Dec ’24) .
- 24 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals vs USC (Nov ’24) .
- At least 23 points in 12 straight contests, earning her fourth ACC Player of the Week
- Double-doubles in ACC tournament final, earning MVP honors .
Heralded as a Team-Nucleus
Her play is not limited to scoring. Offense, defense, leadership—she does it all, and Ivey knows it. “She’s that energy piece… feisty, energetic,” Ivey said post‑USC win (sportskeeda.com). On Sports Illustrated, she noted Hidalgo stepping into a new leadership role after Olivia Miles’ transfer: “Let me know what you need… next year, you’re going to be the face of women’s basketball” (si.com).
The stakes are high, but Ivey is confident she’s ready.
As the 2025‑26 season approaches, expect Hidalgo to anchor a team hungry for ACC and NCAA titles. With several key returners (though Olivia Miles has transferred) and strong underclassmen, the Irish roster is deep—or at least it is when its heart is on the court.
Hidalgo will be the centerpiece. Expect her to:
- Take on more vocal leadership—calling plays, setting tempo, driving team morale (si.com).
- Maintain defensive intensity, anchoring perimeter defense and pushing for top steals numbers.
- Step into veteran status as a junior star, taking more high-leverage shots and proving clutch in postseason play.
The AmeriCup in Santiago is more than just a summer tournament—it’s a springboard. Success there could elevate her to full Olympic residency consideration, U.S. national team invitations, and international media attention. Bringing home gold and clinching a World Cup spot would be massive for her résumé.
Ivey’s words—labeling Hidalgo as “the face of women’s basketball”—suggest something beyond stat lines. They imply her growth as a public figure: role model, voice for the sport, and potential future pro star.
Hidalgo’s journey—from a standout freshman to national team mainstay—is unfolding in real time. She’s not just breaking records in South Bend—she’s amplifying Notre Dame’s brand and electrifying the college game.
In Hannah Hidalgo and Niele Ivey, Notre Dame has more than a coach-and-player duo—they have a generational synergy. Ivey believes in Hidalgo’s game and heart; Hidalgo seems ready to bear the torch. With trophies in their sights—AmeriCup gold, ACC dominance, NCAA glory—it feels like the beginning of something special.
In a world where college sports are ever-fluctuating, some pairings just resonate: mentor and protégé, spark and fuel. This is that moment—timed perfectly, poised for greatness. And when Hidalgo hoists that AmeriCup gold or cuts down another net in April, the emotional echoes of that reunion and Ivey’s unwavering praise will be part of the story.
