Hannah Hidalgo’s meteoric rise in women’s basketball just earned another prestigious milestone, as the Notre Dame star has officially been selected to participate in the 2025 USA Basketball Women’s AmeriCup Team trials. For Hidalgo, this invitation isn’t just a personal honor—it’s a clear recognition of her dominance on the court, her relentless motor, and her unwavering passion for the game. The opportunity to represent the United States at the AmeriCup trials underscores what many already believe: Hidalgo is one of the most electrifying players in college basketball and an emerging figure on the international scene.
The trials, set to take place at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, will feature some of the country’s top talent. For Hidalgo, who dazzled fans and opponents alike throughout her freshman season with the Fighting Irish, this is a chance to prove she belongs not just in conversations about the best in the NCAA, but among the elite women representing the nation on the global stage. Her selection is a testament to a season that turned heads and shattered expectations, as the 5-foot-6 guard played with a tenacity and brilliance that defied her age and size.
Few players in recent memory have had a freshman campaign as impactful as Hidalgo. From her very first game in a Notre Dame uniform, it was evident that she was something special. She didn’t ease into the college game—she exploded into it. Her combination of speed, vision, court awareness, and defensive prowess immediately made her the heartbeat of the Irish. Whether it was her fearless drives to the basket, her quick hands on defense, or her leadership in crunch time, Hidalgo played with a maturity and ferocity that belied her freshman status.
The numbers only tell part of the story, but they are stunning in their own right. Hidalgo averaged over 22 points per game, consistently ranked among the nation’s leaders in steals, and guided Notre Dame to major wins while playing with a confidence and swagger that energized both teammates and fans. Her performance throughout the season earned her national accolades, including multiple freshman of the week honors and a place on several All-America watchlists. But beyond the accolades, what stood out most was how she elevated everyone around her. Teammates fed off her energy. Coaches raved about her coachability and drive. And opponents knew that stopping Hidalgo was virtually impossible.
It’s that drive and intensity that undoubtedly caught the attention of USA Basketball officials. The Women’s AmeriCup Team is a vital piece of the national program’s development, offering a proving ground for emerging stars to compete at the international level. The competition is fierce and the expectations are sky-high. But for someone like Hidalgo, the trials represent not an overwhelming challenge, but the natural next step in a career already defined by overachievement and grit. The USA Basketball pipeline is known for identifying not just talent, but toughness, character, and the kind of leadership that transcends the box score. Hidalgo fits that mold perfectly.
Her story is one of relentless pursuit—of excellence, of respect, of greatness. A native of Haddonfield, New Jersey, Hidalgo made waves in high school as one of the most dynamic guards in the country. Ranked as a five-star prospect and among the top players in the nation in the class of 2024, she chose Notre Dame over a host of powerhouse programs, drawn by the school’s history, coaching staff, and commitment to women’s basketball. Once she arrived on campus, she wasted no time making her presence felt. She became the engine of the team, the spark that ignited every run and the glue that held everything together. Her high-energy style, coupled with a surprisingly polished offensive game and elite defensive instincts, made her a matchup nightmare and a nightly highlight reel.
Those qualities are precisely what USA Basketball covets. International play is about adaptability, precision, and toughness. It demands an understanding of team dynamics, quick decision-making, and a fearless approach. Hidalgo has all of that and more. Her quick hands generate turnovers. Her burst of speed creates fast break opportunities. Her court vision enables her to find teammates in transition or make the right reads against half-court defenses. And perhaps most importantly, she brings an edge—a competitiveness that can swing momentum and tilt games in her team’s favor.
Being invited to the AmeriCup Team trials is also a nod to Notre Dame’s continued impact on women’s basketball. The Fighting Irish have a long tradition of producing elite talent, with legends like Skylar Diggins-Smith, Arike Ogunbowale, Jewell Loyd, and Jackie Young all having worn the blue and gold before going on to excel at the professional and international levels. Hidalgo appears poised to join that lineage. Her rise mirrors many of the greats before her, and now, with the chance to wear USA across her chest, she is entering another chapter of that proud tradition. Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey has spoken often about Hidalgo’s competitive fire and potential, and this latest honor validates all of that belief.
For Hidalgo, the journey is far from over. The trials themselves will be intense, with players from all over the country fighting for limited roster spots. But she has never shied away from a challenge. In fact, she thrives on them. Those who have followed her career know that she performs her best when the lights are brightest and the stakes are highest. Whether it’s a conference rivalry game, a postseason battle, or now, a shot at making Team USA, Hidalgo approaches every moment with the same passion and purpose.
The AmeriCup, set to be held in July, serves as a critical stepping stone toward future international competitions, including the FIBA World Cup and the Olympics. Making the team would not only be a major personal achievement but also a key opportunity to gain invaluable experience competing against the top players from the Americas. It would expose Hidalgo to a new level of competition, challenge her to elevate her game even further, and put her on the radar for future senior national team call-ups. And given how quickly she’s risen at every level she’s played, it would be no surprise to see her thrive on the international stage just as she has at every stop so far.
Beyond the court, Hidalgo has also established herself as a role model and ambassador for the game. Her charisma, authenticity, and work ethic make her a fan favorite and a leader among her peers. She embraces the platform that comes with being a high-profile athlete, using her voice to uplift others and inspire the next generation. In that sense, she embodies everything that USA Basketball looks for in its athletes—not just talent, but integrity, humility, and heart.
As the trials approach, anticipation is building. Coaches, fans, and basketball insiders will be watching closely to see how Hidalgo performs against the nation’s best. But those who know her story already have a good idea of what to expect: hustle, fearlessness, brilliance, and an unrelenting desire to win. Whether she makes the final roster or not, her presence at the trials signals that she’s on a trajectory that could one day land her on the Olympic team. And for someone who’s already defied expectations at every level, nothing seems out of reach.
In many ways, this moment feels like the start of something even bigger for Hannah Hidalgo. She’s already proven she can dominate in college. Now, she’s getting a shot to prove herself on the national stage. And if history is any indication, she won’t just show up—she’ll show out. With her talent, tenacity, and heart, she’s the kind of player who doesn’t just participate in history—she helps write it.
