Notre Dame women’s basketball just got their first transfer of the season.
Louisville Cardinals forward Anaya Hardy committed to the Fighting Irish on Friday, giving head coach Niele Ivey a 6-foot, 3-inch front court piece with two seasons remaining.
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Hardy spent her first two seasons playing for the Louisville and while limited as a freshman, she emerged as a contributor in her sophomore season. She played in 35 games and started in 27 of them. She scored 4.9 points per game while also grabbing 4.2 rebounds. Her .667 field goal percentage led her team. The Detroit native also posted three double-doubles which is the type of interior production that the Irish will hope will translate in the ACC.
Irish coach Niele Ivey had positive words on her new front court player saying, “Anaya’s size, rebounding, and defensive ability will elevate our front court, she’s coachable with a high motor – the kind of player who grows with us.”
Earlier on Friday, the Irish lost KK Bransford to the transfer portal. Hardy’s arrival gives the Irish a physical, developing option who fits a roster built around returning senior superstar Hannah Hidalgo and a highly regarded incoming recruiting class.
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Notre Dame is coming off a season where they finished 12-6 in the ACC and 25-11 overall. The team eventually lost to the UConn Huskies in the Elite Eight. With the return of Hidalgo, and with reinforcements like Hardy, the Irish look to advance even further next year and re-join the elites of women’s basketball.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame women’s basketball adds to front-court via transfer portal
