Home NCAAW Four Notre Dame women’s basketball players on watch list for major award

Four Notre Dame women’s basketball players on watch list for major award

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Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo calls out to her teammates during an exhibition game against Davenport on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend. Notre Dame won 101-41.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have four women’s basketball players on the watchlist for the Wooden Award.

First awarded in 1977, the award named after the legendary John Wooden is giving to the most outstanding men’s and women’s college basketball player in the country. The late Wooden is often considered the best college basketball coach ever for the work he did at UCLA.

Maddy Westbeld, Hannah Hidalgo, Olivia Miles and Sonia Citron are all on the watch list for the Fighting Irish. There are 50 players from across the country on the list.

Having four players of that caliber will be huge for a team that lost to Oregon State in the Sweet Sixteen last year.

Sonia Citron – guard

Mar 29, 2024; Albany, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Sonia Citron (11) grabs a rebound during the second half in the semifinals of the Albany Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the MVP Arena at MVP Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 29, 2024; Albany, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Sonia Citron (11) grabs a rebound during the second half in the semifinals of the Albany Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the MVP Arena at MVP Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Citron played in 26 games for the Irish last season, averaging 35.8 minutes and 17.3 ppg. She also averaged 5.5 rebounds per game.

Hannah Hidalgo – guard

Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo puts up a contested shot during an exhibition game against Davenport on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend. Notre Dame won 101-41.

Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo puts up a contested shot during an exhibition game against Davenport on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend. Notre Dame won 101-41.

Hidalgo played in 35 games last season, averaging 22.6 points per game — which makes her the Irish’s leading scorer for last season. She also had 6.2 rebounds per game, 5.5 assists, and 4.6 steals per game, as well.

Olivia Miles – guard

Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles (5) celebrates making a three pointer during an exhibition game against Davenport on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend. Notre Dame won 101-41.

Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles (5) celebrates making a three pointer during an exhibition game against Davenport on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, at Purcell Pavilion in South Bend. Notre Dame won 101-41.

After missing all of last season with an ACL injury suffered late in 2022-2023, Miles is back and ready to team with Hidalgo in the backcourt. Her 2022-2023 stat line, before injury, was 14.3 ppg and 7.3 rebounds per game in 28 games.

Maddy Westfield – forward

Mar 29, 2024; Albany, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Maddy Westbeld (21) dribbles the ball toward the basket during the first half in the semifinals of the Albany Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the MVP Arena at MVP Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Mar 29, 2024; Albany, NY, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Maddy Westbeld (21) dribbles the ball toward the basket during the first half in the semifinals of the Albany Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the MVP Arena at MVP Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Westbeld played in 34 games last season, averaging 14.4 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game. She’s entering her senior season.

Others on the watch list

Apr 1, 2024; Portland, OR, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates after beating the USC Trojans in the finals of the Portland Regional of the NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Apr 1, 2024; Portland, OR, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) celebrates after beating the USC Trojans in the finals of the Portland Regional of the NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Key players from other schools on the list include Paige Bueckers from UConn, Juju Watkins from USC, and Madison Booker from Texas.

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Four Notre Dame women’s basketball players on watch list for major award



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