The Notre Dame women's basketball team is making headlines, particularly with its renowned backcourt trio of Hannah Hidalgo, Olivia Miles, and Sonia Citron, recognized for their stellar performances during the 2024-2025 season. On March 19, 2025, the Associated Press named Hidalgo to its first team, while Miles secured a spot on the second team, and Citron received honorable mention.
This recognition marks a significant achievement for these athletes and reflects their hard work and commitment to excellence. Hidalgo not only earned AP All-American first team honors but also a similar accolade from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association—both crowning achievements that highlight her skills on the court.
Hannah Hidalgo's season has been nothing short of historic. The sophomore guard, from Merchantville, New Jersey, leads the No. 8 Irish with an impressive average of 24.2 points per game, along with securing an average of 3.7 steals, stats that rank fourth in the nation. Her shooting performance is equally praiseworthy, boasting a 40.7% success rate from three-point range, placing her fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
What sets Hidalgo apart is her consistency and ability to perform under pressure. She is now one of only four players—joining the ranks of USC’s JuJu Watkins, Connecticut’s Maya Moore, and Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris—to earn AP All-American first team honors in both her freshman and sophomore years. In an enthusiastic statement, Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey said, "What a well-deserved honor for Hannah. To be one of just four players to ever make the AP All America first team in both of their first seasons is a major accomplishment. I'm so proud of her and I can't wait to see what she does in March."
In addition to Hidalgo’s celebration, Olivia Miles has also made waves in the realm of women’s basketball. The senior from Phillipsburg, New Jersey, is averaging 16.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game. She is the only player in the nation averaging at least 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, while shooting over 40% from deep, a benchmark that not many have achieved. Miles has also made history by recording three triple-doubles this season, leading the nation in this category.
Her back-to-back triple-doubles against Loyola and Virginia made her the first player in ACC history to achieve this feat consecutively. Remarkably, she returned to the court after a year off due to an ACL injury, making her the first player across NBA, WNBA, or college basketball history to post a 20-point triple-double upon returning.
Citron, a steady contributor to the team, is often overlooked but has put together an impressive season, averaging 13.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. Her performance has surged in the last ten games where she recorded 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, alongside an impressive 57.5% field goal success rate.
As they look ahead to the NCAA tournament, the No. 3 seeded Notre Dame Irish, with a record of 26-5, prepare to host Stephen F. Austin, who enters the tournament with a strong record of 29-5. The first-round matchup is set for March 21, 2025, at 2 p.m. in South Bend. The anticipation is palpable, as fans look forward to seeing how these three stars will lead their team toward potential glory in March Madness.
The recognition these players have earned doesn't just reflect individual talent; it highlights their critical role in propelling Notre Dame's competitive spirit. The combination of Hidalgo's explosive scoring, Miles' versatility, and Citron's steady performance adds a significant advantage for the Irish as they aim for national success. With the NCAA tournament on the horizon, every play and every point counts, making it an exciting time for the Irish and their supporters.
This year, as the Irish march into the tournament, they carry the weight of expectations from fans and alumni alike, bolstered by their recognition among the nation's elite athletes. As March Madness approaches, the strength of this backcourt could very well pave the path for Notre Dame's deep run in the tournament.
