CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo is one of the few established superstars returning to women’s college basketball this season.
The reigning ACC Player of the Year is among just eight of 25 All-ACC selections returning to the conference from a season ago, and one of just three returning AP First Team All-Americans. Last season, Hidalgo joined USC’s JuJu Watkins, UConn’s Paige Bueckers and UCLA’s Lauren Betts as must-watch talents that filled the stardom void left when Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese went off to the WNBA.
With Bueckers now in the WNBA and Watkins gone, Hidalgo knows that a good share of the spotlight will be on her. The Fighting Irish will play on national networks such as NBC, FOX, ESPN and ESPN2 at least eight times this season.
And as the only returning starter from a season ago — where an extremely talented Notre Dame squad disappointed by losing in the Sweet 16 — many eyes will be locked on her.
“I have a great support system. I have a great foundation. I know the media tries to put pressure on, but I put my trust in Christ first,” Hidalgo told SB Nation. “With that, I have nothing to fear.”
In an interview with SB Nation at ACC Tip-Off this week, Hidalgo talked about being featured on ESPN’s “Full Court Press,” Notre Dame’s tumultuous ending, her relationship with former teammate Olivia Miles, playing for Kara Lawson on Team USA, and more.
This conversation has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.
You had ESPN following you around last year for a documentary. What was that like?
“It was a blessing. Honestly, it was great. You know, you might get tired of the cameras, but having them around, it was great for them to get the behind-the-scenes and get who I truly am as a person outside of basketball. Because a lot of times, fans only see what you do on the court, and they don’t really see too much of you outside, especially because I’m a private person. So for them to follow me around and be able to get behind the scenes with me and my family, that was great.”
Did you feel like it was well done and you were properly represented?
“Oh, absolutely. They told my story very well.”
I think a lot of people are still wondering what happened last season. That team had so much potential and hype, and then you had a few losses and long postgame meetings down the stretch. After some reflection on it, how would you define how last season ended? What went wrong?
“I wouldn’t say I know exactly what went wrong. It was just, you know, things happen. And like I always say, things happen for a reason. We did have a lot of talent and we kind of underachieved.
“But this team this year, I’m super excited for. I think everybody brings something different. I think all the ingredients fit together, like a snickerdoodle cookie, you know? Like everything is just mixed together well. And I think the chemistry is just so great for us.”
You’re the only full-time starter returning. Which one of your former teammates are you going to miss playing with the most?
“Honestly, I miss all of them that left. I feel like everybody brought something so different. And it was like, we needed every single piece to win the games that we won… (Sonia Citron), her scoring ability, or (Liatu King) and her ability to get offensive rebounds while being undersized. We just had so much firepower from different positions.
“We did lose a lot, but we built a lot too. We have this blank canvas that we keep talking about, so I’m excited.”
You did play with Olivia Miles at the AmeriCup. What was that like?
“I think me and Liv played well with each other at Team USA. It’s always great when you get to play with other good players, so that was exciting.”
How are things standing with you and her at this moment?
“You know, she decided to make the decision to leave. So, I wish her all the best.”
Sticking with the AmeriCup for a second, you played for Kara Lawson there. You’ve also played against teams she’s coached at Duke. Now she’s the head coach through the 2028 Olympics. What was it like playing for her on Team USA?
“For one, I’m so happy for her. I think she’s a great coach, and I think her basketball mind is unlike any other. And so, what she’s going to bring to Team USA is something that probably no other coach has brought before, just because of the way she thinks — she’s planning on multiple different levels.”
I saw a clip from last season where Niele Ivey said, in her prime, she would beat you in one-on-one. How would that game go?
“I’m not going to lie. Coach Ivey was a great player. I’ve watched her highlights a couple of times. But Coach Ivey wouldn’t beat me. She wouldn’t beat me now, in her prime, she wouldn’t beat me ever.”
Back to this roster, you have seven newcomers. Who is making an impact so far?
“I think we have a lot of sleepers. I think a lot of people are sleeping on our team — just because we had so much talent last year that we lost, we definitely had to rebuild. But the girls that we have now work so hard. They give it their all every day in practice, every drill.”
Last year you guys had all the hype. Do you like flying under the radar a bit more?
“I grew up the underdog. Surprising people is always good. Honestly, we believe in ourselves, and we believe in our coaching staff.”
What is your least favorite road arena you’ve played in?
“N.C. State. Last year was my first time playing there. It’s like a bowl and everybody is sitting on top of you. It just makes it feel so much smaller and it’s all red everywhere.”
