Notre Dame Basketball Fans React in Shock as Head Coach Niele Ivey Makes a Surprising Statement Announcing That Hannah Hidalgo Will Be Made the Team Captain as a Sophomore
In a stunning announcement that has left fans and analysts speechless, Notre Dame women’s basketball head coach Niele Ivey revealed today that star point guard Hannah Hidalgo will be named team captain for the upcoming 2025–2026 season—despite only entering her sophomore year.
The announcement came during a press conference at Purcell Pavilion, where Coach Ivey praised Hidalgo’s leadership, maturity, and impact both on and off the court. “Hannah is not just an exceptional athlete—she’s a leader in every sense of the word,” Ivey said. “She sets the tone every day in practice, she holds her teammates accountable, and she has earned their respect. It’s rare to see someone this young take command the way she has.”
Hidalgo, who burst onto the national scene as a freshman with her electrifying play, led the Fighting Irish in scoring, assists, and steals during the 2024–2025 season. She was a finalist for National Freshman of the Year and is already considered a favorite for the Wooden Award going into her second season.
Still, fans were stunned by the news—team captain roles are typically reserved for upperclassmen with years of experience in the program. Social media immediately lit up with reactions ranging from disbelief to enthusiastic support.
“She’s only a sophomore? Wow. That says everything you need to know about how special she is,” one fan posted on X. “Coach Ivey knows what she’s doing.”
Even former Notre Dame greats like Skylar Diggins-Smith and Arike Ogunbowale chimed in with praise. Diggins-Smith posted, “Big-time move. Big-time player. Hannah’s built different.”
Basketball analysts echoed the sentiment, calling Ivey’s decision “bold but brilliant.” ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo noted, “You don’t often see a player take over a program this quickly. Hidalgo has the game, the charisma, and clearly the leadership to match.”
For her part, Hidalgo appeared humbled but ready. “I’m grateful Coach Ivey and my teammates trust me with this responsibility,” she said. “I’ll give everything I have to lead us to a championship.”
With high expectations for the upcoming season and the heart of the team now officially in the hands of its youngest star, one thing is clear—Notre Dame women’s basketball is entering a new era, and it begins with Hannah Hidalgo at the helm.
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