Notre Dame Women’s Basketball has long been a powerhouse in collegiate basketball, particularly under the leadership of Coach Muffet McGraw and later her successor, Niele Ivey. The program’s consistent excellence in both the ACC and NCAA tournaments is a testament to its culture of success and recruitment prowess. One of the most crucial elements of this success has been Notre Dame’s ability to tap into the international talent pool, bringing in standout players who help elevate the program. As the game of basketball continues to globalize, attracting foreign recruits is becoming increasingly vital to maintaining a competitive edge.
In this context, there are three important foreign recruits that the Notre Dame women’s basketball team must target to continue its rise in the NCAA and return to national prominence. These recruits possess the skill sets that would complement the Irish’s existing roster while filling specific needs on the court. They also represent the future of basketball, bringing diverse international styles of play that are reshaping the dynamics of the sport. Let’s take a closer look at the three foreign recruits who would be key additions to the Fighting Irish’s roster.
1. Eva Lisec – Forward, Slovenia
Eva Lisec, a 6’4” forward from Slovenia, has quickly made a name for herself on the international stage. As a versatile and physical forward, Lisec has the size and skill set that would add much-needed depth to Notre Dame’s frontcourt. Her ability to play both the power forward and center positions would give the Irish added flexibility and improve their inside presence, which is essential for competing with some of the top programs in the NCAA.
Lisec’s basketball IQ is one of her standout qualities. She is an exceptional rebounder, with the ability to clean the glass on both ends of the floor. This attribute would allow the Irish to dominate the boards against tough competition, especially in the ACC, where teams like Louisville and Miami excel at scoring off second-chance opportunities. Lisec’s quickness for her size makes her a threat in transition, and she has developed a reliable jump shot, particularly in mid-range situations. This would add a new dimension to Notre Dame’s offense, where the Irish are known for their ability to stretch the floor and create scoring opportunities.
What sets Lisec apart from other forwards is her international experience. Having represented Slovenia at multiple age levels and playing in European club leagues, she brings a level of maturity and adaptability that will help her transition smoothly into the NCAA. Her experience against top-tier European competition would give the Irish a competitive edge in big games, especially in tournament settings where poise and composure are critical.
Lisec would be an ideal addition to the Irish’s frontcourt. She could serve as a complementary player to any of Notre Dame’s established forwards and provide depth, particularly if the Irish are looking to establish a more physical and dominant presence inside. Adding her to the roster would significantly enhance Notre Dame’s chances of making a deep run in the NCAA tournament.
2. Marta Garcia – Guard, Spain
Another foreign recruit who would be a perfect fit for Notre Dame is Marta Garcia, a 5’11” guard from Spain. Garcia is a dynamic player with the ability to handle the ball, score, and facilitate for her teammates. Her playing style is heavily influenced by Spain’s intricate team-oriented style of basketball, which emphasizes spacing, movement, and unselfish ball distribution. She is a versatile guard who can play both as a point guard and shooting guard, making her a valuable asset to any team.
Garcia’s passing ability and court vision are two of her most impressive attributes. She is an elite facilitator who can create opportunities for others, something Notre Dame’s offense thrives on. With the Irish’s emphasis on ball movement and creating open shots, Garcia’s ability to break down defenses and set up teammates would be an invaluable addition. Her high basketball IQ and ability to make quick decisions under pressure would also help improve Notre Dame’s transition offense, an area where the team can often excel.
In addition to her playmaking ability, Garcia is also an excellent shooter, particularly from the three-point line. In Spain, she has developed a reputation as a deadly shooter, able to knock down shots both off the dribble and in catch-and-shoot situations. Her shooting ability would complement Notre Dame’s existing perimeter players and add more spacing to the floor, helping to open up opportunities for driving lanes and post feeds.
Defensively, Garcia’s size and athleticism make her a formidable defender on the perimeter. She has the ability to guard multiple positions, from point guards to wings, and her quick hands and anticipation allow her to disrupt passing lanes. This defensive versatility would give Notre Dame the flexibility to match up against a wide variety of offensive systems.
Garcia’s international experience with Spain’s national team is also a huge asset. She has played in multiple international competitions, including the FIBA U19 World Cup, where she showcased her skills against some of the best young players in the world. This experience would help her transition smoothly to the high-pressure environment of NCAA basketball and enable her to contribute immediately.
3. Chloe Spreen – Guard/Forward, Canada
Chloe Spreen, a 6’0” guard/forward from Canada, would be an exceptional recruit for Notre Dame due to her versatility and high level of athleticism. She plays both guard and forward, with the ability to stretch the floor and score from various areas on the court. Her size allows her to be a mismatch against smaller defenders, while her speed and agility make her a difficult matchup against larger players. With her ability to score, rebound, and defend multiple positions, Spreen would provide much-needed depth on the wing for the Fighting Irish.
One of Spreen’s greatest strengths is her scoring ability. She is an explosive athlete who can finish at the rim with both hands, and her mid-range game is one of the most polished aspects of her offensive repertoire. She has also developed into a reliable three-point shooter, which would help diversify Notre Dame’s offensive attack. Her ability to stretch the defense and create space on the floor would help open up driving lanes for other players while also forcing defenders to respect her shooting range.
In addition to her scoring ability, Spreen is an elite defender. Her length and athleticism make her a disruptive force on the defensive end, as she can guard both inside and on the perimeter. She has the ability to get in passing lanes and create turnovers, and her tenacity on defense would complement Notre Dame’s commitment to defense-first play. Her all-around skill set would make her an excellent fit in Notre Dame’s defensive system, where versatility and effort are highly valued.
Spreen’s experience with the Canadian national team adds further appeal. She has played at various age levels for Canada, including in FIBA World Cup competitions, where she demonstrated her ability to perform at an elite level. Her familiarity with international play would make her an easy fit into Notre Dame’s program, which has consistently thrived with foreign recruits who are accustomed to playing against tough competition.
In the ever-evolving landscape of women’s college basketball, recruiting foreign talent has become increasingly important. The global game has produced players with unique skill sets, and these athletes bring a different level of intensity, versatility, and tactical awareness to the court. By adding international recruits like Eva Lisec, Marta Garcia, and Chloe Spreen, Notre Dame Women’s Basketball can continue to evolve into a more dynamic and unpredictable force in college basketball.
These three recruits would fill critical gaps on the team, adding depth, size, and skill in areas where the Irish need improvement. Lisec’s inside presence and rebounding ability would give Notre Dame a more dominant force in the paint, while Garcia’s playmaking and shooting would improve the team’s perimeter offense. Spreen’s versatility and defensive prowess would provide the Irish with a well-rounded wing player who can contribute at both ends of the floor.
By targeting these top international recruits, Notre Dame Women’s Basketball can continue to build a program that is ready to compete at the highest level, not only in the ACC but also on the national stage. As the team seeks to return to championship contention, these foreign recruits could play a pivotal role in the Irish’s pursuit of greatness.
