Before the basketball season even began, many experts considered UConn’s Paige Bueckers and USC’s JuJu Watkins to be the top contenders for the title of best player.
Fast forward to midseason, and Notre Dame sophomore guard Hannah Hidalgo has firmly entered the conversation as one of the best players in women’s hoops. She has even outplayed the two in head-to-head matchups.
Is Hannah Hidalgo The Nation’s Best Sophomore?
Her records and stats indicate a big “yes.”
Hannah Hidalgo made waves during her freshman season at Notre Dame, but her sophomore year has taken her game to an even higher level. She has been a dominant force for the Fighting Irish through the first half of the season, averaging 25.9 points per game, which is second in the country.
This is more than just a scoring achievement. It puts her ahead of both Bueckers (19.6 points) and Watkins (24.6 points).
Beyond her impressive scoring, Hidalgo has been a standout on defense, leading the nation with 40 steals. Bueckers acknowledged Hidalgo’s all-around game in a recent interview.
“She does a lot of great things offensively and defensively. She’s a pest,” the UConn star said. “The best thing that she does is her energy and her attitude. And she leads her team with that and her fire,” Bueckers continued.
In addition to her scoring and defensive stats, Hidalgo has been breaking records during her time at Notre Dame. She eclipsed 1,000 career points in just 44 games, setting a new program benchmark for the fastest player to achieve this milestone.
Her remarkable consistency was further demonstrated with back-to-back 30-point games against Virginia Tech and Louisville. It increased her career total of 30-point games to nine, ranking second in program history. Hidalgo is now tied with Skylar Diggins for the fourth-most games with 20 or more points in Notre Dame history.
Hidalgo Becomes a Wooden Award Contender
Not only has Hidalgo excelled as a scorer and defender, but her shooting efficiency has been a key part of her success. She ranks eighth in the nation with a 50.4% field goal percentage, which is a remarkable figure for a guard.
Another strength is her ability to convert at the “charity stripe,” as she is fourth in the country with an 86.1% free-throw percentage.
From beyond the arc, her 43.5% shooting from three-point range ranks third in the ACC, and she is averaging 2.4 made three-pointers per game.
KEEP READING: Top 10 Women’s College Basketball Players in 2025
Hidalgo’s strong performances this season have earned her a spot on the John R. Wooden Award “Late Midseason Top 20” list. It is an honor given to the top college basketball players in the country.
Hidalgo was also a finalist for the award last season, and her improved play as a sophomore has positioned her as one of the favorites to win it in 2025. As the season progresses, it’s clear that Hidalgo is not just one of the best sophomores but one of the best players in the entire country.
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