Boasting a fan following of over 50,000, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo has been the talk of the town since she was named to the AP pre-season All-American Team. Embarking her college career last season, Hidalgo shot down several records while she also set the bar for others. In the postseason play as well, she tuned up her defensive skills when she couldn’t beat up the scored in the Sweet 16.

Vouching for the same, Notre Dame’s head coach Niele Ivey said, “She’s going to give us her all. That’s what she loves — playing defense. That’s her money, her intensity defensively…She’s never going to stop playing, regardless.” So, let’s explore the budding powerhouse who is set to emerge as the Fighting Irish leader.

The beginnings of a wonder called Hannah Hidalgo

Born in February 2005, the Merchantville, New Jersey native has been a force to reckon with from the start. Coached by her father, Orlando, Hidalgo played varsity basketball for Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, New Jersey.

Even as a senior, Hidalgo averaged 28.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.3 steals, and 5.1 assists per game. She led her high school team to the South Jersey Non-Public A final. She finished her high school career with 2,135 points and became the school all-time leading scorer.

For three consecutive years, Hidalgo was named Courier-Post Player of the Year and was also selected as New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year last year. Hidalgo shared the MVP honors with JuJu Watkins as she posted a record-breaking 26-point display at the McDonald’s All-American Games, while she ended up with a game record 8 steals.

Before starting her basketball career in high school, Hidalgo played club basketball for Philly Rise. Some of her major pre-collegiate basketball participations include the 2022 FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup where she won a gold medal.

Moreover, she played at the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit and the 2023 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup. She was voted as the No.5 recruit in the 2023 class by the ESPN HoopGurlz. After considering offers from programs like Michigan, Stanford, Duke, Ohio State and UCF, Hidalgo committed to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

And her collegiate career began

Kick starting her four-year journey, Hannah Hidalgo scored 31 points against South Carolina in her college basketball, the highest-scoring debut by an Irish freshman (both men’s and women’s) Notre Dame player since 1999.

In her second game, she put out another remarkable feat by making 12 steals against NJIT and tied the single-game record set by Marina Mabrey. Besides that she scored 26 points, making it her first collegiate double-double and 6 rebounds and assists apiece.

Establishing her offensive dominance, Hidalgo had already posted 27 steals and set the record for most steals by any Division I player in the country in just four games in 25 years. It’s so amazing, her greatness just kept growing and growing as she recorded her first and the highest triple-double in the program’s history with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game against Western Michigan.

She then had a career-high 32 points against Syracuse. Taking her scoring to another level, Hidalgo registered her 14th 20+ point game when she scored 23 points against Virginia and surpassed the record set by Beth Morgan. This game was also her 9th with atleast 6 steals, where she broke the Notre Dame career record set by Skylar Diggins-Smith.

She defied the odds as a freshman and matched up her game with Caitlin Clark as the two major conference players in the country averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. Continuing on the building path, she hit a career-high and the program’s single-game freshman scoring record at 34 points (her 3rd 30+ point game through the season).

Topping off her own career-high score and single-game record, Hidalgo went ahead and scored 35 points at Georgia Tech. She broke another record with a free throw against Pittsburgh, became the fastest player to reach 500 points in a single season in the program’s history. Along with that, she hit the program record with her 8th straight game with 20+ points.

Amassing a total 147 steals through the season, Hidalgo again surpassed Skylar Diggins-Simth’s record. Her performance as a freshman undoubtedly put her on an unmatched level and added her in the NCAA and Notre Dame’s record books.

Besides, she won several accolades for the same, including the ACC Tournament Champion and MVP, ACC Rookie of the Year, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Dawn Staley Award, All-ACC First Team and Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year Midseason Team.

Hidalgo’s involvments in the NIL deals

Having a lengthy list of accomplishments has started treating her well off the court. Ranking at #51 in the College Women’s Basketball NIL list, Hannah Hidalgo signed an NIL deal with Aloft South Bend hotel.

Owned by Marriott, Aloft entered into a partnership with Hidalgo after she was named the MVP of the ACC Tournament and first-team All-ACC pick as a true freshman. “This partnership marks a significant milestone in the landscape of college athletics, as it exemplifies the power of the NIL movement in providing opportunities for student-athletes to further their personal brands and pursue their passions beyond the court. Hidalgo, known for her exceptional talent, dedication, and leadership both on and off the basketball court, has captivated fans with her remarkable skills and unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Aloft South Bend’s Becky Fletcher.

Further, Hidalgo reciprocated the endeavor and said, “I’m excited to partner with Aloft South Bend and to collaborate with a company that aligns with my personal goals and values as a student athlete. I look forward to the many opportunities ahead of us to continue elevating women’s basketball and making a positive impact within the community.”

Looking at her trajectory as a freshman, Hannah Hidalgo has successfully gained a magnificent rapport of a prolific scorer and a firm defender on the court, while also attracting major NIL opportunities off the court.