On November 6, 2023, an 18-year-old phenom made her debut for Notre Dame. And right from the beginning, she ensured she left a mark. In a 100-71 loss to No. 6 South Carolina, she scored 31 points—the highest by a Notre Dame player since 1999. As if that wasn’t enough, she posted 26 points with 12 steals in a win over NJIT in the very next game. Once again, it was a record for Notre Dame’s single-game steals. Just like that, a new legacy began, and it continues to unfold. But now, fans are starting to feel like they’ve seen this before.

Hannah Hidalgo’s excellence bears a striking resemblance to that of Skylar Diggins-Smith. Both stars have left a lasting impact on Notre Dame basketball, albeit in slightly different ways.

Averaging 25.2 points per game this season, Hidalgo has been lighting up the scoreboard and putting on a show every time she steps on the court. Not only that, but Notre Dame is currently ranked No. 2 while boasting a perfect 13-0 record in ACC play, riding a wave of success.

And much of that has to do with the explosive talents of Hidalgo. How? She has a field goal percentage of 49% and is shooting 42.1% from the three-point range, cementing herself as one of the top players in the nation. Her achievements this season have put her on pace to break her own school record for points per game, a mark she set last season with 22.6 PPG.

Still have doubts? The fact that she’s in the conversation for Player of the Year speaks volumes about the trajectory of her career. But what makes her impact even greater is her ability to be a lockdown defender. Averaging 4.1 steals per game, her defense has been a game-changer for the Fighting Irish.

Even in a recent game against No. 11 Duke, she played a crucial role in forcing multiple turnovers, helping Notre Dame secure a dominant 64-49 win. All of this has left fans drawing parallels between Hidalgo’s playing style and that of Skylar Diggins-Smith.

Fans find Hannah Hidalgo as the second coming of Skylar Diggins-Smith

“Hannah Hidalgo is so @SkyDigg coded!!! #Tough” one fan wrote. And they’re not entirely wrong. Both players possess a unique blend of offensive firepower and defensive intensity. Not only that, but both have left a lasting legacy at Notre Dame. Just earlier this month, she tied Skylar for fourth place on the all-time list of most 20-plus-point games (45).

“The best description I’ve heard in a MINUTE,” another fan commented after seeing the comparison that stated Hidalgo to be a more fired up version of Smith.

Skylar’s scoring steadily increased each year, topping out at 17 points per game in her final season. But what truly set her apart was her ability to contribute in every aspect of the game. Her free throw shooting also improved over the years, reaching an impressive 81.9% in her senior year.

“Lmfaoo I’m screaming. Why does this make so much sense?” penned a User. “BEST DESCRIPTION I HAVE HEARD IN A LONG TIME OMG,” another spectator wrote.

Hannah Hidalgo, on the other hand, has been one of the brightest stars in college basketball since her debut. Last year, she averaged 25.2 points per game—easily surpassing Skylar’s collegiate career high of 17 PPG. Even in her freshman season (2023-24), she wasn’t just a scorer, averaging 22.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game.

“they’re the same person she just has adhd lmao, “ added another user. 

One of her standout moments came on January 27 of last year when she dropped 34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. This performance not only led Notre Dame to a huge win but also secured Hidalgo’s place in the program’s history books. That night, she shattered the freshman single-game scoring record that had stood since 1991. Smith agrees with the fans in terms of the fire Hildalgo carries, vouching for her future in the league.

“She’s just got it here. Just fearless. Can play both sides of basketball. Cares about both sides. That’s not always the case,” she said on Unapologetically Angel. Hidalgo won’t be eligible for the WNBA draft until 2027. Until then she has got a lot more to prove.