A Five-Star Commitment for the Fighting Irish
Eve Long, a 6-foot-3 forward from Olathe South High School in Kansas, announced last week that she will wear the blue and gold of the University of Notre Dame beginning next fall. The commitment marks a major win for Coach Niele Ivey’s program, as the five-star prospect chose the Fighting Irish over powerhouse programs UCLA and UConn.
Long’s high school résumé reads like a highlight reel. She earned the 2025-26 Gatorade Kansas Girls Basketball Player of the Year honor after averaging 32.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Her blend of rebounding instincts and a developing perimeter game has scouts projecting her as a versatile weapon at the collegiate level.
The recruit arrives at a time when Notre Dame’s recruiting class has already been rated No. 4 nationally. In addition to Long, the roster will feature star guard Hannah Hidalgo, whose breakout performances have already put her on the national radar. Together, the two newcomers are expected to reinforce a squad that finished the 2025-26 season with a 25-11 record and a 12-6 mark in ACC play.
Coach Ivey, who has been building momentum in the recruiting market, expressed excitement about the addition. “Eve brings a rare combination of size, skill and work ethic,” Ivey said in a statement. “She fits perfectly into the culture we’re cultivating here at Notre Dame, and we can’t wait to see what she adds to the court.”
Implications for the Program
The commitment not only bolsters the Fighting Irish’s on-court prospects but also signals a continued upward trajectory for the program’s recruiting efforts. By securing a talent of Long’s caliber, Notre Dame reaffirms its appeal to elite prospects who value both academic excellence and competitive athletics.
Analysts predict that the incoming class could push the team back into contention for its first NCAA championship since 2018, especially with the added depth at the forward position. As the new recruits acclimate to the campus environment, fans will be watching closely to see how quickly they can translate high school dominance into college success.