COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Two of Notre Dame’s biggest names this spring are heading out West with international implications.
On Tuesday, USA Basketball announced the 24 athletes who are expected to participate in the group’s Women’s U19 National Team Trials in Colorado Springs beginning May 12. Among them is five-star Irish signee Hannah Hidalgo. Karen and Kevin Keyes Family Head Coach Niele Ivey is one of two coaches who will serve as court coaches during the trials. It is her first USA Basketball Appointment.
At the conclusion of the trials, a 12-member team will be announced on May 15, and the 2023 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup is scheduled for July 15-23 in Madrid. It will feature 16 teams from across the globe, and the United States will be a part of Group B with Chinese Taipei, Germany and Mali.
“On behalf of the USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team Committee, I am thrilled to announce this group of two dozen gifted athletes who will compete for a spot on the 2023 USA Women’s U19 National Team,” said Doug Bruno, DePaul University women’s basketball head coach and chairman of the USA Basketball Women’s Junior National Team Committee. “Many of these young women have prior USA Basketball experience, which will make trials even more exciting. The FIBA Women’s U19 World Cup is a challenging competition and we look forward to selecting a team that will represent the U.S. in the best possible way.”
The 24 women represent three different high school classes. Eight of the athletes recently completed their freshman years, 10 are graduating as part of the class of 2023, and six women are part of the 2024 group.
Twenty-two of the 24 athletes have previously participated in USA Basketball experiences, including Hidalgo. Most recently, the guard from outside of Philadelphia was a member of the inaugural USA women’s team at the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit. The United States defeated the World Team, 100-79. Hidalgo also made the 2022 FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup team.
Hidalgo shined this spring when she posted a record-breaking 26 points at the McDonald’s All-American Games in late March. She signed with the Irish in November and will arrive on campus in a few weeks for the summer. Hidalgo was the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2023 class, per ESPN’s HoopGurlz rankings.
Ivey’s 2022-23 team won the ACC regular season championship after posting a 15-3 conference mark and a 27-6 record overall. The team advanced to the Sweet 16 despite losing starters Dara Mabrey and Olivia Miles to injuries in January and February, respectively. Ivey was named 2023 ACC Coach of the Year.
The full U19 trials roster and additional information can be found here.