Tag: Katrina McClain

Hannah Hidalgo is USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year

Congrats, Hannah!

[autotag]Hannah Hidalgo[/autotag] only has played college basketball for a month, but the Notre Dame freshman phenom already is making an impact. She’s the nation’s leader in steals (6.0 a game) and one of its top scorers (23.6 points a game). But that doesn’t begin to describe what she’s done overall this year.

Hidalgo has won the prestigious USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year award for how well she did in international play this season. During the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, she averaged 10.7 points and 5.4 assists a game to help the U.S. win the gold medal. Joni Taylor, her coach from that tournament, said it best:

“Hannah Hidalgo is a name you will not forget.”

In winning this award, Hidalgo is joining elite company in more ways than one. She is only the fourth player to win it before beginning her collegiate career, joining Paige Bueckers, Brianna Stewart and Janelle Bailey.

Many women’s basketball legends, some of which remain active and others are enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame, have won this award since it was first given out in 1980. These include Diana Taurasi, Teresa Edwards, Lisa Leslie, Dawn Staley, Cheryl Miller, Katrina McClain, A’ja Wilson, Maya Moore, Tina Charles, Katie Smith, Natalie Williams, Ruthie Bolton, Chamique Holdsclaw, Seimone Augustus and Lynette Woodard.

If that list is any indication, Hidalgo is on her way to becoming not only an Irish legend but a legend of the sport. It probably wouldn’t surprise her either because she indicated such when Fighting Irish Wire asked her about it after the Irish’s win over Lafayette:

“No, I’m not surprised at all. I think I know what God has blessed me with, and so, it’s a lot easier when I have teammates like the ones that I do. That makes the game just so much easier.”

Here’s to the latest of what should be many more honors for someone who’s just getting started.

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Sam Brunelle Named to 2021 Naismith Trophy Watch List

Sam Brunelle has had quite the 2020-21 season, and Notre Dame doesn’t even tip off until Dec. 13 against Georgia Tech.

Sam Brunelle has had quite the 2020-21 season, and Notre Dame doesn’t even tip off until Dec. 13 against Georgia Tech. Already, the sophomore is a Preseason All-ACC member and a member of the Katrina McClain Award Watch List for the best power forward in women’s basketball. Now, she’s one of 50 players to be named to the 2021 Women’s Naismith Trophy Watch List. Ruth Riley became the first and only Irish player to win the award in 2001.

In early February, the list will be cut down to 30 as part of a midseason list. However, that may include players not on the preseason list. Ten semifinalists will be named in early March. Eventually, there will be four finalists with the winner being named during the Final Four.

Brunelle, one of nine sophomores to be named to the list, is joining four other ACC players who will be competing for women’s basketball’s top individual honor. They are Kiara Lewis and Tiana Mangakahia of Syracuse, Elissa Cunane of NC State and Dana Evans of Louisville.