Malaya Cowles Selects Notre Dame, Bringing a Formidable Force to the Irish Frontcourt and Laying the Groundwork for a Championship Run
In a decision that reverberated across the women’s college basketball landscape, Malaya Cowles, one of the most coveted frontcourt prospects in the nation, announced her commitment to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, instantly transforming the trajectory of a program already poised for greatness. Cowles’ decision isn’t just a recruiting victory—it’s a strategic masterstroke by head coach Niele Ivey, a move that could very well be the final piece in Notre Dame’s pursuit of another national championship.
At 6-foot-4, Cowles brings a unique blend of physicality, finesse, and two-way dominance that makes her one of the most versatile and dangerous post players in the country. Her commitment sends a clear message to the rest of the NCAA: the Irish are back, and they are coming for it all.
A Nationally Coveted Talent
Malaya Cowles wasn’t just a top-10 national recruit—she was the kind of player who alters the outlook of entire programs. Rated a five-star by every major recruiting service and considered the No. 1 power forward in the 2025 class by ESPNW, Cowles has dominated the high school ranks for years.
Out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Cowles was a four-year varsity starter, averaging 21.8 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game in her senior season. A McDonald’s All-American and Team USA U18 standout, her game is a powerful blend of old-school toughness in the paint and new-age versatility on the perimeter.
She narrowed her finalists to Notre Dame, UConn, South Carolina, Stanford, and LSU—each a powerhouse in its own right—but ultimately chose the Irish for what she described as a “perfect alignment of culture, coaching, and opportunity.”
“Coach Ivey and her staff believe in me not just as a player but as a leader and a champion,” Cowles said during her commitment announcement. “Notre Dame feels like home. It’s where I can be part of something bigger than myself.”
The Niele Ivey Effect
The significance of Cowles’ commitment cannot be overstated for Niele Ivey, who has meticulously rebuilt Notre Dame into a national contender since taking over in 2020. Under her guidance, the Irish have returned to the upper echelon of women’s basketball with elite-level recruiting and a fast-paced, high-IQ system that blends athleticism and discipline.
Adding Cowles to a roster already teeming with talent may very well be the game-changer Ivey has been building toward.
“I’ve watched Malaya grow into one of the most impactful frontcourt players in the country,” Ivey said. “Her decision to join our family is monumental. She’s a relentless competitor, a phenomenal teammate, and a leader by nature. She’s the kind of player that wins championships.”
Cowles now joins a team that features All-American point guard Hannah Hidalgo, sharp-shooting wing Sonia Citron, and rising sophomore post Kylie Watson. The Irish aren’t just talented—they’re deep, experienced, and fiercely determined.
Filling a Crucial Need
Despite Notre Dame’s recent success, the one area that remained a relative weakness was interior dominance. The Irish have often relied on smaller, quicker rotations in the frontcourt, utilizing finesse and speed rather than brute strength. Cowles changes that dynamic instantly.
Her rebounding prowess alone—an area where Notre Dame ranked outside the top 50 in the country last season—could elevate the Irish into elite territory. Her ability to clean the glass, block shots, and defend multiple positions makes her the kind of defensive anchor that allows the rest of the lineup to play aggressively on the perimeter.
On the offensive end, Cowles brings an old-school post-up game with new-school polish. Her face-up midrange jumper is lethal, and she has developed range out to the three-point line, making her a matchup nightmare for slower bigs and undersized forwards alike.
“She’s a two-level scorer with high basketball IQ,” said ESPN analyst Debbie Antonelli. “Cowles is going to be a major problem in the ACC from Day 1.”
The Championship Blueprint
Notre Dame’s last national title came in 2018 under Hall of Famer Muffet McGraw, but Ivey—McGraw’s handpicked successor—has methodically engineered the Irish’s return to prominence. With Hidalgo emerging as a generational point guard talent and a string of top-tier recruiting classes forming the foundation, Cowles’ arrival might finally signal that the Irish are ready to take the next step.
The formula is clear: Hidalgo orchestrating the offense with her electric pace and court vision, Citron stretching defenses, and Cowles controlling the paint. That trio, supported by a deep and experienced bench, has the tools to challenge the likes of South Carolina, UConn, and LSU on the national stage.
What separates this Notre Dame team is the balance between youth and experience. Hidalgo may only be a sophomore, but her court command mirrors that of a seasoned pro. Citron is a savvy veteran with deep March experience. Watson, Olivia Miles (returning from injury), and now Cowles form what could be one of the most versatile frontcourts in the country.
The Bigger Picture: Notre Dame’s Rise
Cowles’ commitment is also a seismic moment in the broader context of recruiting battles among elite programs. Beating out the likes of Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma is no small feat, and it signals a potential shift in the recruiting power structure.
Notre Dame is now being viewed once again as a destination—not just for academics and tradition, but for winning at the highest level. The Irish are not just competing with the powerhouses of the SEC and Big East; they’re now landing talent those programs covet most.
This also reflects Ivey’s ability to connect with today’s players in a way that feels both authentic and aspirational. As a former WNBA player and championship-winning assistant coach, Ivey brings credibility and relatability. Her presence on the sidelines is more than symbolic—it’s a magnet for talent like Cowles.
What Comes Next
For Cowles, the future is incredibly bright. She will arrive on campus with expectations sky-high, but all indications suggest she’s ready to meet—and exceed—them.
Her leadership qualities have already emerged in high school and with Team USA, where she was often praised for her maturity, composure, and ability to galvanize teammates. Those traits will be vital as she joins a locker room full of hungry veterans and rising stars.
The Irish will also be favorites in the ACC next season, a league that remains highly competitive with the likes of NC State, Louisville, and Virginia Tech. But with Cowles anchoring the frontcourt, Notre Dame becomes a physical force that can control the paint against anyone.
March Madness looms as the proving ground, and if the pieces click as expected, Cowles could find herself playing deep into the tournament as a freshman—and perhaps cutting down the nets.
Final Thoughts
Malaya Cowles’ decision to commit to Notre Dame isn’t just another addition to the roster—it’s a foundational moment for a program already on the rise. Her arrival gives the Irish something they’ve been missing: a dominant interior presence with elite talent and leadership upside.
For head coach Niele Ivey, it’s affirmation that her vision for Notre Dame basketball is resonating. For fans in South Bend and across the country, it’s a reason to believe that another championship banner could soon be hanging in Purcell Pavilion.
And for Malaya Cowles herself, it’s the beginning of what promises to be a legendary college career—one that could reshape the landscape of women’s basketball and usher in a new golden era in Notre Dame lore.