Hannah Hidalgo, the standout defender who earned the 2026 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award, announced on April 9 that she will return to Notre Dame for a fifth season in 2026‑27.
In an Instagram post she described the program as a family, saying the strong connections she has built in South Bend were the primary reason for her decision, even as many of her classmates have chosen to transfer.
Hidalgo’s junior year was decorated with a second straight ACC Player of the Year honor and a third consecutive ACC Defensive Player of the Year award, cementing her status as a top prospect for the 2027 WNBA draft.
Unlike many of her peers, she never entered her name in the NCAA transfer portal, underscoring her commitment to staying at Notre Dame despite the program’s recent losses of core players through graduation and transfers.
Rebuilding Around a Core
The Fighting Irish are reshaping their roster for Hidalgo’s senior year, adding Princeton transfer Madison St. Rose and Louisville transfer Anaya Hardy, while also welcoming a highly touted recruiting class of five freshmen.
Coach Niele Ivey and the coaching staff have emphasized that the new pieces will complement Hidalgo’s defensive prowess and help the team rebound after a season that saw several key departures.
Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the renewed chemistry will translate into on‑court performance, with many projecting the Irish to be a formidable contender in the ACC and beyond.