Notre Dame’s standout guard, Hannah Hidalgo, did more than just dominate the regular season. The athlete left a mark in ACC history that few have ever achieved. Her performances were nothing short of extraordinary. On top of the accolades, she solidified her position as one of the best players in the nation.
Hannah Hidalgo’s Historic ACC Season
Hidalgo’s excellence was officially recognized when she was named the ACC Player of the Year and the Defensive Player of the Year. She got them, in addition to securing a spot on the All-ACC First Team.
This remarkable feat placed her in an elite category, as only two other players in the conference’s history—Duke’s Lindsay Harding in 2007 and Virginia’s Monica Wright in 2010—had ever won both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in the same season.
The accomplishment was a testament to Hidalgo’s ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. It made her one of the most well-rounded players in college basketball.
An X page called H shared a post highlighting Hidalgo’s achievements with the caption:
“Hannah Hidalgo is the only player this season to win both Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. She accomplished this while competing against: • The nation’s leading scorer • Two of the top 10 shot blockers in the country NPOY.”
Hannah Hidalgo is the only player this season to win both Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
She accomplished this while competing against:
•The nation’s leading scorer
•Two of the top 10 shot blockers in the countryNPOY 🏆 pic.twitter.com/48jgV3PQE2
— H ☘️ (@GrandTheftDalgo) March 5, 2025
Considering that Hidalgo is a strong contender for National Player of the Year, with only USC’s JuJu Watkins possibly standing in her way, her dominance in the ACC should not come as a shock.
She has been a relentless force all season, averaging 3.7 steals per game, proving her defensive prowess time and time again.
Her aggressive, high-energy play on defense made her a nightmare for opposing offenses, while her scoring ability ensured she was just as dangerous on the other end of the court.
Hidalgo’s Growing Legacy at Notre Dame
While this is her first ACC Player of the Year award, Hidalgo has already built an impressive résumé in her young college career. As a freshman, she claimed ACC Rookie of the Year honors and was also named the Defensive Player of the Year in her debut season.
It quickly became evident that she was a generational talent, capable of elevating Notre Dame’s program to new heights. With two Defensive Player of the Year awards in just two seasons, her reputation as one of the best defenders in the country is already well-established.
However, for all the individual honors, Hidalgo’s focus remains on the ultimate prize—a national championship.
Notre Dame, currently ranked No. 6, briefly held the top spot earlier in the season and will be looking to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. If Hidalgo can continue her stellar play and lead the Fighting Irish to a championship, her legacy will extend far beyond the ACC.
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The sophomore sensation still has time before she becomes eligible for the WNBA, meaning fans can expect to see her continue collecting awards and shattering records at Notre Dame.
But for now, her sights are set on March Madness, where she has the opportunity to add the one achievement missing from her resume: a national title.
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