In the world of college basketball, few players have been as dominant this season as Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo. The Fighting Irish sophomore has not only led her team to a stellar 25-4 record but has also etched her name in the history books with an unforgettable performance.
With March Madness around the corner, Hidalgo’s accolades are stacking up, and her impact on the court is impossible to ignore. Can she capture the National Player of the Year award?
Hannah Hidalgo Shines in a Record-Breaking Season
The ACC released its end-of-season awards on Tuesday, and Hannah Hidalgo stood at the center of attention. The Notre Dame guard, who has been a driving force behind her team’s success, was officially named the ACC Player of the Year.
The Fighting Irish celebrated her achievement on social media, sharing the news with their fans on X.
undeniable 🏆
Hannah Hidalgo has been named ACC Player of the Year#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/h64bTktwy5
— Notre Dame Women’s Basketball (@ndwbb) March 4, 2025
The announcement of her Player of the Year honor was met with overwhelming support from fans. They flooded the comments with congratulations and bold predictions for Notre Dame’s March Madness run.
“Much deserved! Hidalgo is a great player & a true competitor, ” one fan said.
“Hannah Hidalgo is fun to watch. Hoping for a deep run into April!” another person said.
As a freshman last year, Hidalgo helped lead the Fighting Irish to the Sweet 16. Now, with another year of experience and a fire in her game, she hopes to push Notre Dame even further in the NCAA Tournament. With Hidalgo at the helm, the Fighting Irish have a legitimate shot at making a deep run on college basketball’s biggest stage.
Hidalgo’s Historic ACC Feat
While being named ACC’s Player of the Year was a remarkable accomplishment, Hidalgo didn’t stop there. She also earned the title of ACC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
She cemented her place as one of the most well-rounded players in the country. Her defensive dominance, combined with her offensive efficiency, makes her a rare talent capable of changing the outcome of a game on both ends of the floor.
Hidalgo’s achievement is historic. She became the first player since Elizabeth Williams, who played for the Duke Blue Devils from 2012 to 2015, to win back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Additionally, she joined an elite group as only the third player in ACC history to win both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.
The only other players to accomplish this feat were Duke’s Lindsay Harding in 2007 and Virginia’s Monica Wright in 2010. Hidalgo’s dominance was not the only bright spot for Notre Dame in the ACC awards.
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Despite reaching the No. 1 spot in the AP rankings in February, the Fighting Irish have since dropped to No. 6. However, with Hidalgo leading the charge, Notre Dame remains a formidable force as it prepares for the ACC Tournament.
The team is set to play in the quarterfinal round on Friday, where it will look to solidify its standing ahead of the NCAA Tournament.
Hidalgo’s impact on Notre Dame’s success this season cannot be overstated. Her ability to take over games, combined with her defensive intensity, has made her one of the most electrifying players in college basketball.
With the postseason now in full swing, all eyes will be on Hidalgo and the Fighting Irish as they chase championship glory.
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