Inspired by late Kobe Bryant's short film called "Dear Basketball, these 8 Notre Dame alumni opened up to South Bend Tribune about their relationship with basketball.

Hannah Hidalgo

Hannah Hidalgo always went that extra mile to compete and challenge herself. Growing up, she honed her skills by playing against boys. “The ability to compete was the biggest thing for me,” she said.

“Constantly being challenged. I always grew up playing against the guys. They were always showing me different ways I could get better. I think there’s so many different ways I can improve, and that’s the fun of it. I’m not a complete product yet.” Hidalgo admitted.

She wants to win and be placed among Notre Dame legends like Skylar Diggins Smith, Jewell Loyd and Arike Ogunbowale. And she has done so with 350 steals, the 2nd highest in Notre Dame’s all time list.

Cassandre Prosper

The Notre Dame senior's grind lies in gratitude, perspective and learning. "I’m just joyful; I’m playing with so much joy. Like, it’s fun to be here. It’s fun to practice, I’m enjoying it and its fun to have that.

I knew in the end that it would be rewarding. I think you learn through it all, and that’s the beauty of it. It’s hard, you go through it, you go back and it’s hard again, then you get to move on. That’s the most rewarding part for me ― seeing my growth and being content with that. Regardless of what that looks like, I’m proud of myself.“

She described her happiest moment when her brother Olivier-Maxence Prosper got drafter for the Grizzlies. Her love for basketball began early and seeing her brother live his dream gave her the motivation she needed.

Vanessa de Jesus

The Filipino takes her inspiration directly from The Black Mamba. “His [Kobe Bryant] love for the game and his mind ― the Mamba Mentality ― that’s something I feel like has really impacted me. How much he worked, how much he loved it and how much he wanted to give back. Even though I play for Notre Dame and for my family, I also hope to help the younger generation, especially younger Filipino Americans.”

Rooted in her culture and heritage, her family and love in playing for the Philippines national team is what helped her make all the sacrifices to get where she is.

Malaya Cowles

It's almost like basketball chose Cowles. She was more inclined to get into gymnastics. “I didn’t start playing basketball until the sixth grade. All my family played basketball, and I kind of wanted to stay away from it."

She stepped into the gym because of her father and uncle's insistance. Making her first winner shot (though she calls it the worst ever), changed her feelings about the sport.

“It was out of nowhere. It was like when I stepped on the court, everything just went away. It was just blocking out all of the noise that was around me. I was just in my element.”

KK Bransford

Bransford ended up in Notre Dame because of her family. “My family. My brother [BJ Bransford] played basketball first, and I play basketball because of him. They push me each and every day. God has given me the gift and has blessed me with the gift to play basketball. I’m super appreciative to be able to play this game.”

Gisela Sanchez

Sanchez loved the competitiveness and community feel of the sport.

“You meet a lot of people, you make a lot of good friends, and I love to compete with them. I think that’s the best part of basketball. I was like five years old when I started because my parents [Jose Sanchez and Miriam Iznajar] played basketball. My dad told me, ‘You should try it.’ I was like, ‘Okay,’ and I’ve loved it since the first moment.”

Iyana Moore

For Moore, basketball turned into a sisterhood and found family.

“What made me fall in love was my family. But the people in basketball who I get to meet, you just never find anything like this. These are sisters for life. It just makes the game better. To be able to call V (Vanessa de Jesus) family for life, makes it 10 times better.”

Niele Ivey

Perhaps Ivey’s story gives the best full circle moment. Once a player for the program, she now coaches them to victory, finding her purpose with Notre Dame.

“This game has opened so many doors for me. I love this game. My brothers [Cedric, Nick, Philippe and Thomas] were the ones who introduced me to this game. I was a tomboy growing up and fell in love with it. I’ve traveled across the world; I’ve met so many different people. My network is from my basketball family. My son’s godmother was my teammate. This game means a lot to me, and it’s my purpose.”

Just like Bryant's journey started from humble beginnings these stories highlight the simple things that ignited the spark for basketball in these women.

From tube socks, gyms, to Mamba mentality, which one was your favorite?

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu