Everything Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey said on SportsCenter at ACC meetings

Notre Dame women’s basketball head coach Niele Ivey made a stop by the set of SportsCenter at this week’s ACC meetings. This is everything she said in a conversation that was dominated by the topic of two-time All-American Hannah Hidalgo.

On the idea of Hidalgo being the face of NCAA women’s basketball

“She’s going to be the best player in the game. She’s ready for it. Rising junior. Somebody that has exploded on the stage since her freshman year. Coming off an incredible sophomore year. Yeah, she’s just ready for it. I’m excited that she’s going to be the face of women’s basketball. But she’s earned it and deserves it.”

On Hidalgo taking a step forward as a Notre Dame team leader

“I think she’s going to be phenomenal. She wants it. She’s hungry for that role. She’s got the chance to see it from a lot of different perspectives. She has that energy. She has the excitement. She’s a leader regardless because of the way she plays, and now she has a chance to be an upperclassman — somebody that has the experience now. I know she’s going to be a little bit more vocal. All eyes are on her, and she’s excited for that position. She’s excited to lead this team because she wants to win, ultimately.”

On the difference between Hidalgo on and off the court

“She’s completely different. She’s super sweet off the court. On the court, fiery. Dynamic. Super competitive. Plays with no fear. She’s unapologetic about the way she plays. Her energy is contagious. And then off the court, sweetheart. The sweetest person. ‘Hi, Coach Ivey!’ Just has a really sweet personality. She’s very faith-driven. She’s a homebody. She has her teammates that she loves, but she’s also somebody that’s a homebody. Very family-oriented. But on the court, completely different person which I think is exciting.”

On her relationship with Hidalgo

“Our relationship is really close. I was a point guard. I know what she’s going through. I know the demands of being a point guard but also being a student-athlete at Notre Dame. There are a lot of challenges she has on and off the court. Trying to be able to balance both.

“Relationships are really important to me. I’m a players’ coach. That was something that was attractive to her about coming to Notre Dame. And I just love her. I love being a mentor for her, not just being her coach. I try to wear multiple hats for her. She’s received it really well. She wants to be pushed. She wants to be coached. And I love that about her. I’m fortunate to have been in contact with some great guards that have also wanted to be pushed and wanted to be coached. That’s what I love about her the most; she wants me to bring the best out of her and she received the information really well. I’m super grateful for her.”

On Notre Dame’s roster turnover this offseason

“There’s a new normal in college athletics. I am really fortunate with the core that we returned. We returned KK Bransford, Cassandre Prosper, obviously the biggest name, Hannah Hidalgo, and all three of them are just really excited. They got back to work. We had to take a couple weeks off and went right back to work. They’re super motivated. And then I got a chance to bring in three grad transfers. I think they’re really going to make a big impact for us with the experience, fulfilling certain voids that I had.

“But I’m looking forward to it. It’s a blank canvas. I’m looking forward to the picture we’re going to create. I’m looking forward to the new energy, new identity. And ultimately, we want to win. I have competitive players. That person leading us is Hannah, one of the best guards in the country. I’m looking forward to what we’re going to accomplish next season.”

On what the objectives are for Notre Dame in 2025-26

“Always winning. We have our expectations and our standard being extremely high. Always getting back to that. Always being super competitive in everything we do. I feel like the pieces that we brought in, they all mirror that. They all want to win. Winning comes first. I’m bringing in really great talent but also great leadership, and I think that’s really going to help our culture. Culture is always something that’s growing. It’s something I want to continue to grow, so I’m looking forward to that.”

On what she’s most proud of seeing former Notre Dame players in the WNBA

“I’m most proud with the impact they’ve made in the league. They’re not just in the league. They’re dominating on all levels. Two-time WNBA All-Star, which is Jackie Young. Jewell Loyd being the leading scorer last year. Arike Ogunbowale was an MVP at the All-Star [Game]. All of them make an incredible impact. They’re changing the game. Skylar [Diggins-Smith], also. They’re incredible guards. We feel like we have the blueprint. When they get to the league, they’re prepared. They’re ready. They’re pro-ready, which we love here at Notre Dame. I’m just really proud of the positive impact they’ve made in the WNBA and what they’re doing in the league. They’re really dominating, and I’m super proud of all of them.”