Maddy Westbeld has made a name for herself as a standout forward for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Yet, she’s not the only basketball talent in her family. Her older sister, Kathryn “Kat” Westbeld, carved her own path in the sport. From high school stardom to a national championship, Kat’s story also deserves a spotlight.
Who is Maddy Westbeld’s Sister, Kathryn “Kat” Westbeld?
Kat Westbeld grew up in Kettering, Ohio, the fourth of five kids in a basketball-obsessed family. She hit the court at Fairmont High School, where she quickly stood out. Between 2011 and 2013, she powered the Firebirds to three state final appearances.
Her junior year brought a Division I state title in 2013. By her senior year in 2014, Kat’s skills earned her McDonald’s All-American status. Recruiters took notice, ranking her No. 21 by ESPN and No. 33 by Prospects Nation. At 6’2″, her versatility as a forward made her a star prospect.
She chose Notre Dame, joining the Fighting Irish from 2014 to 2018 under coach Muffet McGraw. Kat was a big player in the team’s success. Her senior year saw her start 31 games, averaging 8.0 points and 5.2 rebounds. Her field goal accuracy impressed at 56.8% over three seasons as a starter.
The pinnacle came in 2018 when she helped Notre Dame clinch the program’s second national championship. McGraw called her “the glue” of that team and praised her leadership. Kat left Notre Dame with over 1,000 career points, a feat Maddy later matched, making them the only sisters in school history to hit that mark.
After college, Kat took her game overseas. Around 2019, she started in Puerto Rico’s Baloncesto Superior Nacional Femenino league. From there, her career bounced between Spain and Australia. Early 2020 found her playing Down Under, though she flew back to Ohio that year to catch Maddy’s final high school games.
Meanwhile, Maddy followed a similar trail. At Fairmont, she led the Firebirds to a 25-3 record her senior year, reaching the regional finals. Her stats popped—18.0 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game.
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Honors piled up: Gatorade Ohio Girls Basketball Player of the Year in 2020, plus McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic nods. A five-star recruit ranked No. 23 by ESPN, she picked Notre Dame in October 2019, turning down UCLA, Louisville, Ohio State, and Tennessee.
Kat’s influence on Maddy runs deep. Maddy calls her “biggest role model” and “best friend.” As a kid, Maddy tagged along on Kat’s recruiting trips, including to Notre Dame, where the program won her over.
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