Sept. 30, 2017
Lili Thompson
A 5-7 guard hailing from Mansfield, Texas, Lili Thompson comes to Notre Dame as a fifth-year graduate transfer. Thompson previously spent three seasons at Stanford where she amassed over 71 double-figure scoring games, including a career high of 30 points. Named team captain in her junior season where Thompson averaged 14.7 points per game and also became the 36th player in Stanford history to reach 1,000 career points. Lastly, Thompson was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection and was named to the Naismith Trophy Watch List in her junior year.
Q: What/Who inspired you to pick up a basketball and start playing?
A: My dad – he played college basketball and played in the Army as well. He was my first coach on my first team when I was only three.
Q: What is the biggest thing you are looking forward to in your first season at Notre Dame?
A: Playing for this coaching staff.
Q: What moment has stood out to you the most in your basketball career (growing up)?
A: Beating UConn my sophomore year. It taught me the value of preparation and confidence that no one is too good to beat.
Q: What is your biggest basketball memory as a fan?
A: Watching Steph Curry drain a half-court three at the buzzer against Oklahoma City.
Q: What is something about yourself that would surprise your friends to hear?
A: I really like to play pool and golf.
Q: What former Notre Dame player would you challenge to a game of 1-on-1?
A: Skylar Diggins-Smith – I want to test myself against the best.
Q: Favorite basketball movie and why?
A: Love and Basketball – it’s almost a requirement for that to be a favorite!
Q: What was the deciding factor on choosing to play at Notre Dame?
A: Coming on my visit and getting to speak with the coaching staff in person.
Jessica Shepard
A 6-4 forward from Fremont, Nebraska, Jessica Shepard joins the Irish as junior transfer from the University of Nebraska. Over her two years as a Husker, Shepard recorded 25 double-doubles, which already tied for the fifth highest career total in school history. Shepard completed her two-year Nebraska career with 550 rebounds and 1,112 points, as the latter ranked as the highest in history for a Husker in her freshman and sophomore seasons combined. Shepard was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and the 2016 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Q: What/Who inspired you to pick up a basketball and start playing?
A: Growing up my sisters and brother played basketball so it was a combination of watching them play and always being in the gym. My whole family is pretty much involved in the sport.
Q: What is the biggest thing you are looking forward to in your first season at Notre Dame?
A: I’m just excited to come in here and compete every day, be a part of this team and help them reach their potential.
Q: What moment has stood out to you the most in your basketball career (growing up)?
A: When I won a gold medal with Team USA. It was such a surreal experience.
Q: What is your biggest basketball memory as a fan?
A: I watched Michael Jordan in his last game. I was really little but still remember.
Q: What is something about yourself that would surprise your friends to hear?
A: I used to have a horse named Butterscotch.
Q: What former Notre Dame player would you challenge to a game of 1-on-1?
Q: Favorite basketball movie?
A: Coach Carter
Q: What was the deciding factor on choosing to play at Notre Dame?
A: I think the biggest things for me were the coaching staff, the players and the overall environment. After talking with the coaches, I think it’s the right place for me to maximize my potential and win a national championship.
Mikayla Vaughn
A 6-3 center hailing from Fairfax, Virginia, Mikayla Vaughn graduated from Paul VI Catholic High where she transferred for her senior year. Vaughn led Paul VI to a No. 1 national ranking, a 32-2 record and a 2017 VISAA Girls State Championship. Averaging 14.6 points per game as a senior, Vaughn earned VISAA First Team All-State honors. Vaughn joins Danielle Patterson as one of two freshmen on this year’s squad.
Q: What/Who inspired you to pick up a basketball and start playing?
A: My father.
Q: What is the biggest thing you are looking forward to in your first season at Notre Dame?
A: The support of the fanbase at our games.
Q: What moment has stood out to you the most in your basketball career (growing up)?
A: When I grew six inches in a year and went from being a guard to a post.
Q: What is your biggest basketball memory as a fan?
A: Getting Andre Iguodala autograph when he played for the Sixers.
Q: What is something about yourself that would surprise your friends to hear?
A: My parents call me Noli (short for magnolia) because it was (and still is) my favorite flower when I was growing up.
Q: What former Notre Dame player would you challenge to a game of 1-on-1?
A: Ruth Riley because we are similar positions.
Q: Favorite basketball movie and why?
A: Space Jam because there’s a scene when all the pros didn’t have their skills anymore and one girl who was playing against Charles Barkley said, “You ain’t Charles Barkley. You’re just the wannabe that looks like him. Be gone wannabe, be gone.” Ever since then I’ve always looked at Barkley a little sideways like, “is that really him?” Which is really funny because I met him when was 11 and I wasn’t sure if it was him.
Q: What was the deciding factor on choosing to play at Notre Dame?
A: The great sports tradition, coaching staff, academic school and welcoming community.
Danielle Patterson
A 6-2 forward out of Brooklyn, New York, Danielle Patterson graduated from The Mary Louis Academy. Rated the No. 5 small forward in the country according to espnW/HoopGurlz, Patterson was named a 2017 McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic All-American. Patterson averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game as an upperclassmen and participated in the U17 Team USA Trials during her junior year. Patterson is one of two freshmen on this year’s squad.
Q: What/Who inspired you to pick up a basketball and start playing?
A: Being able to watch the WNBA as a kid.
Q: What is the biggest thing you are looking forward to in your first season at Notre Dame?
A: Being able to compete in the ACC and compete for a national championship.
Q: What moment has stood out to you the most in your basketball career (growing up)?
A: Winning my first championship in high school.
Q: What is your biggest basketball memory as a fan?
A: Going to my first WNBA game and getting to see the New York Liberty play.
Q: What is something about yourself that would surprise your friends to hear?
A: My favorite music genre is 90s throwbacks.
Q: What former Notre Dame player would you challenge to a game of 1-on-1?
A: Kayla McBride because of the versatility of her game.
Q: Favorite basketball movie and why?
A: Space Jam
Q: What was the deciding factor on choosing to play at Notre Dame?
A: My teammates and the coaching staff