Hidalgo Earns ACC Preseason Player Of The Year Title

The ACC recently revealed its 2025-26 preseason honors, with Hannah Hidalgo earning the spotlight as the ACC Preseason Player of the Year. This accolade, chosen by league coaches and media, marks another milestone in Hidalgo’s illustrious college basketball career.

Hannah Hidalgo: A Player of Outstanding Achievements

Hannah Hidalgo, a two-time AP First Team All-American and Wooden Finalist, is entering her junior year at Notre Dame. She stands out for achieving unprecedented stats in NCAA DI history. Hidalgo is the only player since 2000 to average over 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals per game, alongside remarkable shooting percentages of .400 from three-point range and .850 from the free-throw line.

Last season, her performance was even more impressive as she averaged 23.8 points per game, surpassing her freshman year record of 22.6 points. Hidalgo and Arike Ogunbowale are the only players in Notre Dame’s history to score over 700 points in multiple seasons.

Emerging Talent: Leah Macy

Alongside Hidalgo’s recognition, freshman Leah Macy made the ACC Newcomer Watch List. Macy, from Elizabethtown, Kentucky, arrives at Notre Dame as a highly regarded player. She was ranked No. 19 in her class by ESPN and stood out as a McDonald’s All-American. Her high school career included averaging 27 points, 13.4 rebounds, and 8 assists per game.

Notre Dame’s Upcoming Season

For the upcoming season, Notre Dame was placed fifth in the ACC preseason poll. The Fighting Irish will begin their season with an exhibition against Purdue Northwest on October 30 at the Purcell Pavilion. Their official home opener will be against Fairleigh Dickinson on November 5.