On January 22, Hidalgo added another historic chapter to her already remarkable junior season.

She poured in a game-high 27 points and recorded 10 steals. In the process, she broke the program’s all-time career steals record. Hidalgo now has 388 career steals, surpassing Notre Dame legend Skylar Diggins. And that wasn’t the only record she claimed.

She also reached the 2,000-point milestone faster than any player in school history. She did it in just 86 games, breaking the ACC record for the fastest player to reach 2,000 career points.

“For me individually, I give all my glory to my Savior, Christ,” Hidalgo said in the postgame press conference. “Because there’s so many great players that have come through the program. Coach (Niele) Ivey included. She’s what, top 3? You know, it’s truly a blessing to be the leading steals record holder.”

How Hannah Hidalgo Sees Her Role at Notre Dame?

When Hidalgo is on the court, she’s impossible to miss. Her signature puff helps, but her impact makes her unmistakable. She’s currently leading the nation with 5.7 steals per game. She’s also pacing Notre Dame in scoring at 24.6 points per game.

Yet her priority remains defense. “And just for the team, I know they need me defensively,” Hidalgo said today. “The biggest thing is getting stops and running in transition. That’s where I can impact the game the most. I can always control my defensive side, so I pride myself on my defense every single game.”

Next up, the Fighting Irish take on the Clemson Tigers on the 26th. Will Hidalgo carry her form? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar