SO SAD: Her departure is not just a lost in  terms of talent but also in spirit, Star guard Hannah Hidalgo, Her Absence will be deeply felt throughout the program in Notre Dame Women’s Basketball 2025-26 season as she has been a valuable addition and a significant contributor to the team’s success

SO SAD: Her departure is not just a lost in  terms of talent but also in spirit, Star guard Hannah Hidalgo, Her Absence will be deeply felt throughout the program in Notre Dame Women’s Basketball 2025-26 season as she has been a valuable addition and a significant contributor to the team’s success.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball team is entering a new era—one that will be marked by the absence of one of its brightest stars, Hannah Hidalgo

. The news of her departure is not just a loss in terms of talent but also in spirit, leadership, and the electrifying energy she brought to every game. As the 2025–26 season approaches, it is undeniable: Hidalgo’s absence will be deeply felt throughout the program.

 

Hannah Hidalgo, a dynamic 5-foot-6 guard, made a monumental impact during her time at Notre Dame. From the moment she stepped onto the court as a freshman, she played with a poise and confidence that belied her age. Her offensive firepower, defensive tenacity, and playmaking abilities quickly made her a cornerstone of the Fighting Irish roster. In the 2024–25 season alone, she averaged an astounding 23.8 points per game, establishing herself as one of the premier guards in the nation. She was not just a scorer; she was a floor general, a spark plug, and a relentless defender who could shift the momentum of a game in an instant.

 

What made Hidalgo special wasn’t just her stats—though they were impressive—it was her heart. Every possession she played with intensity. Every game, she led with passion. She wasn’t afraid to take the big shot, dive for loose balls, or lock down the opposing team’s best player. Her style of play epitomized Notre Dame basketball: tough, smart, and unrelenting.

 

Hidalgo’s accolades came fast and frequently. She was a finalist for the prestigious 2025 John Wooden Award, a testament to her all-around excellence on the court. Analysts and coaches alike praised her for being a true two-way player. ESPN’s Debbie Antonelli dubbed her “the best two-way player in women’s college basketball,” and anyone who watched her knew why. She made defense look like art and offense look like poetry in motion.

 

Now, with her unexpected absence looming over the upcoming season, Notre Dame faces a considerable challenge. Replacing a player of her caliber is no easy task. Her leadership in the locker room, her chemistry with teammates, and her ability to control the game from the guard position were invaluable. While Head Coach Niele Ivey and her staff are undoubtedly preparing a new generation of Fighting Irish players, the shadow of Hidalgo’s departure will be hard to ignore.

 

The team will need to redefine itself without its star. Who steps up to fill her shoes? Who brings the same fire and consistency night in and night out? These are questions that only time can answer, but what’s certain is that Hidalgo’s legacy has raised the bar for everyone who comes after her. She set a new standard of excellence at Notre Dame—a level of performance that both inspired and demanded greatness from those around her.

 

Her impact also extended beyond the court. Hidalgo was a fan favorite, a mentor to younger players, and a symbol of pride for the Notre Dame community. Her presence in Purcell Pavilion was magnetic. Whether it was young fans lining up for autographs or students chanting her name from the stands, Hannah Hidalgo left a lasting imprint on the hearts of many.

 

As the 2025–26 season approaches, fans will feel her absence in more ways than one. They’ll miss the buzzer-beaters, the steals, the behind-the-back passes—but most of all, they’ll miss the fearless heart that Hidalgo brought to every second she wore a Notre Dame jersey.

 

In the end, her time at Notre Dame may be over, but her legacy is far from finished. She has inspired a new generation of women’s basketball players who watched her dominate the court with grit and grace. Wherever her basketball journey takes her next—whether it’s the WNBA or international stardom—one thing is clear: Notre Dame will always remember Hannah Hidalgo as one of its all-time greats.

 

And while the Irish may be stepping into a new season without her, they’ll be carrying her spirit with them, game after game.