Deal Completed: Niele Ivey of Notre Dame Becomes the Nation’s Top Portal Tranfer, Former Dukes Guard Commits to Play Irish Women’s Basketball Against Dukes, Alabama, and Tennessee

In a stunning portal coup that could shift the balance of power in women’s college basketball, Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey has landed one of the most impactful transfers of the offseason. The Fighting Irish have secured a commitment from former James Madison star guard Talia “T.J.” Hall, who entered the portal after an electric sophomore season. Hall, a two-time All-Sun Belt guard, becomes the centerpiece of a transfer class that has now vaulted Ivey’s 2025 haul to No. 1 in the nation.

For Ivey, who has steadily restored Notre Dame’s national prominence since taking over from Hall of Famer Muffet McGraw in 2020, this is more than just a big-name addition. It’s a statement of intent. After being plagued by injury misfortunes and inconsistencies in the backcourt during the past two seasons, Ivey is reloading with firepower, experience, and edge.

Hall’s arrival also comes with poetic drama. The schedule for the 2025–26 season will see Notre Dame face her former team, the JMU Dukes, in a high-profile non-conference matchup. But that’s not all — the Irish are also slated to battle SEC powerhouses Alabama and Tennessee, both of whom were reportedly involved in Hall’s recruitment during her brief time in the portal.

Talia Hall, known to her teammates and fans as “T.J.,” erupted onto the national radar as a freshman at James Madison, averaging 13.8 points and 5.1 assists per game. But it was her sophomore campaign that made scouts and coaches take notice: 18.7 points per game, 6.3 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and over 2 steals a night. Her tenacity on both ends of the floor, coupled with high basketball IQ and fearless leadership, made her a do-it-all engine for the Dukes.

She led JMU to a 27-6 record and a spot in the NCAA Tournament, where the 11-seed Dukes upset 6-seed Oklahoma before falling to eventual Final Four participant Stanford. Hall scored 22 points and dished 9 assists in the win — her performance earned her national Player of the Week honors and solidified her place among the most sought-after players in the transfer portal.

When she declared her intent to transfer, dozens of programs reached out. LSU, South Carolina, Iowa, Tennessee, Alabama, UConn, and Notre Dame were among the suitors. But in the end, it was Ivey’s vision, culture, and promise of an elite academic-athletic balance that won her over.

“Coach Ivey didn’t sell me a dream — she showed me a blueprint,” Hall told ESPNW after announcing her commitment. “She talked about what I could become here, not just what I’ve already done. It felt like family from the start.”

While Notre Dame has always been a destination program for elite high school talent, Ivey has also adapted to the modern era by becoming one of the sport’s most savvy navigators of the transfer portal. Her ability to blend top-tier freshmen with experienced transfers has turned the Irish into perennial Final Four threats.

This offseason, she made bold moves — securing commitments from Hall, 6’3″ former Stanford forward Nevaeh James, and Oregon sharpshooter Mya Ellis. With these additions, Notre Dame now boasts one of the deepest, most versatile rosters in the nation.

Analysts have called it the best transfer class in the country. Hall alone would have been a game-changer, but with multiple plug-and-play veterans joining the roster, Ivey’s squad enters next season as a legitimate title contender.

“Notre Dame just became the most complete team in America,” said LaChina Robinson on a recent Around the Rim podcast episode. “With Hall controlling pace and tempo, they finally have the quarterback they’ve been missing.”

While Hall has handled her transfer with class, there’s no denying the emotional stakes of facing James Madison again. The Dukes are scheduled to visit South Bend in December for a primetime matchup that’s already drawing national interest.

“It’s going to be emotional,” Hall admitted. “That place made me who I am. I love my former teammates and coaches. But now I’m riding with the Irish, and we’re going to compete. That’s what this is all about.”

James Madison head coach Sean O’Regan took the high road, expressing both support and subtle competitive fire.

“We’re proud of T.J. and what she accomplished here. We wish her the best — except when she plays us,” O’Regan said with a grin. “We’ll be ready.”

The game is already being dubbed “The Portal Bowl” by fans on social media, with ESPN expected to televise it nationally.The Irish’s schedule doesn’t let up after that. Just weeks after the JMU clash, Notre Dame will head south to face Alabama in Tuscaloosa — a rematch of their Sweet 16 battle in 2023. That game ended in heartbreak for Notre Dame after a controversial last-minute call.

Alabama head coach Kristy Curry has built a feisty, physical program, and with the Tide adding top-10 recruiting classes, the matchup promises to be one of the most entertaining of the year.

Later in January, the Irish will also travel to Knoxville to play Kellie Harper’s Tennessee Lady Vols in one of the sport’s most historic venues. Tennessee is reloading too, bringing in McDonald’s All-Americans and key transfers of their own.

What makes Hall’s addition particularly powerful is her fit in Notre Dame’s system. The Irish run an uptempo, read-and-react offense that emphasizes pace, spacing, and guard creativity. Hall thrives in transition, can create her own shot off the bounce, and is an elite pick-and-roll decision-maker.

But it’s her defense that excites Ivey the most. With the Irish needing more perimeter grit and ball-pressure capabilities, Hall is the perfect two-way player to lead from the front. She averaged 2.3 steals per game at JMU and often took on the opponent’s best guard.

Her presence will also allow Olivia Miles — returning from injury — to ease back into form without having to shoulder all playmaking duties immediately. With Hall and Miles, Notre Dame will have arguably the best backcourt in America.

This move also illustrates how the transfer portal is changing the structure of college basketball. The days of purely developing players over four years are giving way to hybrid models — a mix of homegrown talent and experienced transfers.

Programs like Notre Dame, LSU, South Carolina, and UConn are not only recruiting high school stars but now actively targeting top portal talent. And players are increasingly viewing second stops as a natural part of their evolution — seeking the right fit, exposure, and opportunity.

“The portal used to feel like a backup plan. Now, for elite players, it’s a power move,” said ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo. “You can reposition your career and your legacy in one decision.”

For Ivey, the implications go beyond wins and losses. She’s shaping Notre Dame into a modern powerhouse — one that embraces tradition but thrives in the new era. Her leadership, authenticity, and ability to connect with players is now paying dividends.

In Hall, she may have found the missing piece — a leader who brings both fire and finesse, toughness and talent. And Hall, in turn, has found a platform worthy of her ambitions.

“I came here to win,” Hall said. “Coach Ivey believes in me. Now it’s time to go prove her right.”

With summer workouts approaching, the buzz in South Bend is palpable. Practices will be intense, competition for playing time fierce. But that’s exactly how Ivey wants it. She’s built a culture where iron sharpens iron, and Hall is already setting the tone.

Notre Dame’s goals are clear: Win the ACC. Reach the Final Four. Capture a national title.

With a backcourt of Hall and Miles, veterans in the frontcourt, and a coach who knows exactly how to navigate this era, those goals no longer feel like long shots — they feel inevitable.