**REUNITED ON DIFFERENT PATHS: Niele Ivey Praises Hannah Hidalgo’s AmeriCup Trials Brilliance as Notre Dame Star Shines Amid Emotional Reunion with Former Teammate Olivia Miles**
The scene at the USA Basketball Women’s AmeriCup Team trials this week was both electric and emotional. For Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey, it was a moment filled with pride, nostalgia, and quiet reflection as she watched her dynamic point guard Hannah Hidalgo light up the court against some of the best young talent in the nation. But what made the moment even more layered was the presence of another familiar face—Olivia Miles, the former Notre Dame star who recently made the surprising decision to transfer to TCU. The two guards, once seen as the potential backcourt of the future for the Fighting Irish, found themselves reunited in an unexpected setting, not as teammates, but as competitors under the umbrella of USA Basketball. The trials were a showcase of talent, but they also offered a snapshot into how quickly the game—and life—can change.
Hidalgo’s performance at the trials was nothing short of spectacular. The rising sophomore brought the same intensity, quickness, and defensive fire that made her one of the most talked-about freshmen in all of college basketball last season. Her motor never stops, and that relentlessness was on full display throughout the tryout process. For Coach Ivey, it was confirmation of what she already knew: Hannah Hidalgo is the real deal, a transcendent player whose ceiling is still miles above her current elite level. Ivey’s comments about her young star were filled with admiration and maternal pride. She called herself “proud” of Hidalgo, not just for her skill, but for the way she carries herself in high-pressure situations. According to Ivey, Hidalgo’s poise and leadership in the face of elite competition were hallmarks of a player far beyond her years.
Watching Hidalgo compete wasn’t just a coaching moment—it was personal. Ivey had been there from the beginning of Hidalgo’s recruitment, had welcomed her into the Notre Dame program, and had been instrumental in molding her into the fearless floor general she’s become. Seeing her thrive on a national stage validated the faith Ivey had in her from the start. But it also served as a bittersweet contrast when Olivia Miles stepped onto the court wearing different colors. Miles, once viewed as the cornerstone of the program, had taken a different path. Her decision to leave Notre Dame shocked many within the basketball world, not least of whom was Ivey herself. But despite the change, there was no animosity—just a sense of “what could have been” and a deep respect for a player who gave her all to the Irish during her time in South Bend.
Olivia Miles’ presence at the AmeriCup trials was a reminder of her undeniable talent. Even in new surroundings, she remained the same smooth, savvy guard who can control the tempo of a game with a flick of her wrist or a glance of her eyes. Her vision, passing, and command are rare, and those traits were evident to everyone in the gym. For many observers, seeing Hidalgo and Miles on the court together again—even briefly—was like watching a parallel universe unfold. In another timeline, perhaps they would have been leading Notre Dame on a deep NCAA Tournament run together. Instead, their reunion at the trials was a brief crossing of paths—two elite athletes whose stories began in the same place but have now taken separate, compelling turns.
Coach Ivey has never shied away from expressing her belief in her players, and her comments this week underscored just how much she believes in Hidalgo’s potential to become one of the all-time greats in the program. The freshman phenom led Notre Dame in points, assists, and steals last season, and her defensive intensity was unmatched. She plays with a chip on her shoulder and an unrelenting desire to improve. Those attributes didn’t go unnoticed at the AmeriCup trials, where coaches and evaluators raved about her hustle and vocal leadership. What makes Hidalgo’s rise even more impressive is that she has done it with the added weight of expectation. Replacing a player like Olivia Miles is no small feat, but Hidalgo didn’t just fill that void—she redefined it.
And while it would be easy to focus solely on the competitive aspect of the trials, there was a deeper story unfolding in those moments when Hidalgo and Miles shared the court. There was no animosity, no awkward tension—just mutual respect between two competitors who know exactly what the other is capable of. At one point, the two shared a quick embrace, a simple gesture that spoke volumes. It was a moment that fans and observers alike took note of, not just because of the history between the two, but because of what it represented: grace, maturity, and the understanding that their journeys, while different, are both worthy of celebration.
For Ivey, it was a full-circle moment. She had helped nurture both players, guided them through pivotal moments in their young careers, and now watched them stand tall on a national platform. While Miles has moved on, Hidalgo remains at the heart of Notre Dame’s future, and if her performance at the AmeriCup trials is any indication, the program’s future is in very good hands. Ivey’s praise wasn’t just lip service; it was an acknowledgement of the work Hidalgo has put in, the sacrifices she’s made, and the growth she continues to show every time she steps on the court.
The trials also served as a statement of intent for Hidalgo. She didn’t just want to make the team—she wanted to lead it. That fire, that unteachable drive, is what separates her from other players her age. In every drill, every scrimmage, she attacked with purpose, eager to prove that she belongs on the international stage. For Ivey, who has built her coaching philosophy around toughness, accountability, and passion, Hidalgo is the embodiment of everything she wants the Notre Dame program to stand for. Her commitment to excellence mirrors the standards Ivey sets, and together, they’ve forged a bond that goes beyond coach and player.
Miles’ departure, while difficult, hasn’t derailed Notre Dame’s momentum. In fact, it may have galvanized it. Hidalgo’s emergence has given the program a new identity—fast-paced, tenacious, and fearless. And while losing a talent like Miles hurts, it’s clear that Ivey has reloaded rather than rebuilt. The current roster is filled with young, hungry talent, and Hidalgo is the centerpiece around which it all revolves. Her presence at the AmeriCup trials was more than symbolic—it was a declaration. Notre Dame isn’t looking back. They’re moving forward, and Hannah Hidalgo is leading the charge.
It’s impossible to talk about this week’s trials without acknowledging the emotional undercurrent that ran through them. The reunion of Hidalgo and Miles was a moment that captured the complexities of college athletics in today’s transfer-heavy landscape. Players come and go, teams evolve, and what once seemed certain can change in an instant. But in the end, what matters is the growth—both personal and athletic—that these young women experience along the way. For Coach Ivey, seeing two of her former protégées thriving, regardless of the jersey they now wear, is a testament to the foundation she’s helped build.
As the trials came to a close, and the roster selections loomed, one thing was clear—Hannah Hidalgo had made a lasting impression. She had shown that she belongs among the best, that her game translates to any level, and that her star is still rising. And somewhere in the crowd, Niele Ivey watched it all with the calm confidence of someone who knew this was coming all along. Proud doesn’t even begin to cover it.
For fans of Notre Dame, the sight of Hidalgo dominating on a national stage is both thrilling and reassuring. The future is bright, the talent is real, and the legacy continues. Olivia Miles may have taken her talents to TCU, but Hannah Hidalgo is carving out a legacy all her own in South Bend. And if this week was any indication, that legacy is only just beginning.
